Article March 17, 1934 Issue

Joyous Obedience

NANCY H. ADAMS

Christian Science has a glorious message for humanity, namely, the joyousness of obedience. It teaches that our natural attraction is towards God, good, disobedience being but a vain attempt to separate us from God. In truth man is always obedient to divine Principle. In daily experience conscience enlightened by spiritual understanding is an infallible guide, showing plainly what line of thought to pursue; and obedience guides our steps in the way of progress.

But, one may say, the right way does not coincide with my sense of happiness! While, as earnest students of the truth, we would not disobey the divine leading, we must guard against the tendency to believe that we lack joy in our obedience. We must be careful to avoid any admission that there is merit in suffering as such. How much better it is to improve our sense of joy by the realization that all God's plans for man are good; that they are for his happiness and well-being, and thus are joy-bestowing.

Recently the writer stood by the shore, on an island that once bore the name of Melita, and there came vividly to her thought the dramatic happenings of a certain stormy day nearly two thousand years ago when Paul, bitten by a viper, was saved from harm. Paul's experiences are a constant source of inspiration, for he said, "I take pleasure in infirmities." He was about his Father's business. His experience may seem dark to our limited understanding. Captivity, perils, stoning, and sometimes mockery, were the accompaniments of his ceaseless endeavors; but his spiritual assurance and love for mankind lifted him above self-pity. No matter how dire the circumstance, he could praise God out of a full heart for the joy of the truth within him. He was not dismayed when the rage of the world's resistance to Truth's message was vented upon him. He separated the evil from himself, and so felt no regret. A clear understanding of the truth about any situation and its lessons takes away the sting.

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