Article September 8, 1934 Issue

Purposeful Employment

HAROLD MOLTER

The experience of Hagar, the bondwoman, when she was cast out at the request of Sarah, the wife of Abraham, is in some respects characteristic of the experience of many individuals at the present time. When Hagar and her child, the son of Abraham, departed into the wilderness, she undoubtedly carried with her thoughts of hatred, resentment, fear, depression, and self-pity. All visible means of supply seemed to have disappeared, and apparently, in her discouragement, Hagar could see nothing ahead but annihilation for herself and her child. She placed her son under a bush, and then sat at a distance from him, so that she might "not see the death of the child." However, God "heard the voice of the lad." Fear, discouragement, depression did not oppress the child's thought. His consciousness was open to the entrance of hope, courage, and life. Through his receptivity to present good, the light of hope and renewed courage came to Hagar, as the voice of God saying, "Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand."

When this light of Truth dawned upon Hagar, it enabled her to see a well of water close at hand. This well had been available for her refreshment all the time, but she did not see it until the blindness of anger and despair was dispelled. With this awakening came also the revelation that the usefulness of herself and her son was not at an end.

Divine Love's purpose for every one of its ideas is good, individual, definite, unerring, unchangeable, and eternal. And for every idea, God has also provided the means whereby His purpose is being harmoniously carried out, in accordance with divine law and order. In God's plan, man is continuously comprehending and reflecting the glorious beauty, grandeur, and imperishability of infinite divine consciousness. The realization of God's purpose is achieved through the study and practice of Christian Science, which reveals the fact that man is the well-beloved idea of God, perfect, eternal, and coexistent with Mind.

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Doing Our Part
September 8, 1934
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