True Power

MAUDE PETTUS

The writer has in her home a heating system that is set in operation by lighting a small pilot light in each radiator, and then starting an electric motor which is out of sight. In due time the small pilot light becomes a broad flame, and the entire house is soon warm and comfortable.

At first the writer was puzzled to know why sometimes after lighting the small light the broad flame would come at once and at other times it would be considerably delayed. She inquired of an expert why the flame was on some occasions instant in coming and on others often very slow. The reason for this, he said, had never been discovered. "But," the writer put forth, "all that power is wasted while we are waiting." The expert returned: "It is not entirely wasted. It is working. No matter if the wide flame does not come immediately, the motor is still operating, building up the required pressure."

In our striving for Christian Science healing we sometimes arrive at a point where it seems that nothing is being accomplished. We have prayerfully lighted the pilot light of desire for healing, figuratively speaking, and by reading and studying our textbooks we have opened our thought to the divine power. Perhaps someone near and dear to us has received an instantaneous healing with apparently little effort, a healing of a condition seeming to be more serious than ours. But although we have done all that we think we can do, we are still in distress or perplexity. We have read, meditated, purged ourselves of every iniquity of which we are cognizant; we have put aside as far as we at present can "the man of the earth." Even so, discouragement should not be entertained. Isaiah tells us that God has spoken on this wise: "And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear."

The power of divine Love is ever present, and we are coming into unity with it from the instant we light the torch of right desire, and we should realize that results are being attained. Whether or not we see evidence of the divine power, this power is ever operating.

While awaiting the inevitable cheering outcome in healing we can do many things. We can acknowledge the power that is working unseen and be grateful for it; we can have the true knowledge that all activity is in and of Mind, hence is perfect; we can continue in what we have undertaken and falter not. What if there is a delay? Nothing is wasted during that seeming period of inaction. Every single moment of reading, each clear and scientific thought, every kind, unselfish act, the confidence we place in divine power—all are assisting us to realize the presence of the divine energy which will unfailingly bring happiness, healing, and delight in good. The mistake would be to declare impatiently and blindly, "See all that I have done; it will not work"—then turn away, abandon hope, and avow the healing system to be a failure merely because we have not the confidence and wisdom to wait on God.

In II Chronicles we read this inspiring account. Upon Jahaziel, son of Zechariah, "came the Spirit of the Lord in the midst of the congregation; and he said, ... Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you." And Mrs. Eddy, referring to the practice of Truth's teachings, gives us an encouraging statement on page 462 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," where she writes, "There is nothing difficult nor toilsome in this task, when the way is pointed out; but self-denial, sincerity, Christianity, and persistence alone win the prize, as they usually do in every department of life."

The writer has often thought of the spiritual lesson brought to her in her house-heating system by the reply of the expert. And was not he an expert because he was versed in the application of fundamental laws? The fact that the motive power was out of sight and all movement and progress unseen did not signify that nothing was being accomplished. True power, the power of God, is continuous because divine Principle is continuous.

Christ Jesus worked through divine power. To express it with certainty was his mission and it is our mission. Although after Jesus' time the actual comprehension of it was enfeebled and impaired, and even lost during the passing of centuries, true power is continuously operative. To those who accept the truths of Christian Science and do not despair, shall "the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings." On page 573 of the textbook our revered Leader lovingly counsels us, "Take heart, dear sufferer, for this reality of being will surely appear sometime and in some way." We have great assurance of the ultimate good from our Leader, who understood divine power, and in her great love for mankind brought again that power into expression and explained it for the glory of God and the relief of a weary world.

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