Abundance through Dependence

Violet Ker Seymer

When the prodigal son said, "Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me," he was stirred by the desire for independence, for release from parental control. Elated with being the custodian of his own capital, "not many days after" he impulsively "gathered all together" and set forth, glorying in his freedom of action. Being enamored with a personally possessive sense, the young man for the time being deliberately cut himself off from the continuity of the heritage ensured to him as a beloved son.

A personal sense of possession is largely accountable for the human experience of lack. For instance, many individuals regard their life, their health, their faculties, as a personal possession to be used, and possibly used up, for selfish ends and according to mortal whims. Some pride themselves upon being endowed with a splendid physique, outstanding capacities, unusually fine brain and brawn; and upon them they place all their reliance.

Not a few believe themselves possessed, as did the Pharisee, of a righteousness of their own for which they are in no way indebted to Deity. In other words, theirs is not reflected righteousness, but self-righteousness.

All who depend upon materiality instead of upon God, Spirit, for health and intelligence, happiness and success, are making somewhat the same mistake as did the prodigal son. Failing to depend upon man's continuing source of supply, they too cut themselves off from it in quantity and quality. This mistake is not so much due to personal inclination as it is to the material tendency of education. Wayward footsteps have, nevertheless, in every case to be retraced, for the only scientific and certain way of demonstrating supply in human experience is through intelligent and confident dependence upon God, the one fount of being.

Among the factors which would delay humanity's returning footsteps toward spiritually bestowed health, happiness, and success, are faith in the remedial properties of matter, human idolatry, belief in merely personal endowments. Other deterrents are pride of opinion, headstrong will. But this alluring veneer is transitory, for, sooner or later, the shallow characteristics of the carnal mind lead one further astray into the "far country" of illusion and disillusion, where the very means upon which we had counted fail us. Even husks were denied the prodigal son.

Forward steps are threatened by moral cowardice, fear of human opinion, and the withering scorn of the carnal mind which, being standardless, attempts to haul down the flag of those whose aim in life is spiritual, not material. Former companions, no longer congenial, may, as writes Peter, "think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you." Here, at the crossroads, we may learn something from the straightforwardness of the awakened prodigal who, "when he came to himself," boldly declared, "I will arise and go to my father." And he suited the action to the word.

Moral courage displaces moral cowardice. In taking his stand for divine Principle against the ways of the world, the Christian Scientist discovers his spiritual identity. Mrs. Eddy writes (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 396), "We are tired of theoretic husks,—as tired as was the prodigal son of the carobs which he shared with the swine." And she continues, "Like him, we would find our Father's house again—the perfect and eternal Principle of man."

Christian Science unfolds to humanity the peace, power, and protection of divine Principle. It lifts thought above shame and reproach into freedom, uprightness, purity; into the spiritual dominion which is everyone's inviolable heritage. There is no real will but the divine will, and there is no real freedom but spiritual freedom.

Through Christian Science we learn that genuine health, happiness, and success can be won through confident spiritual dependence upon God, never through perverse human independence. Matter has nothing to give us and can take nothing from us, for all that is good is in divine Mind. As we reflect this Mind our feet are set in the blessed pathway of spiritual joyousness, worthy occupation, friends, and home. Along this illumined pathway we walk clear-eyed, sure-footed, under the government of perfect Mind.

Through the exalting influence of Christian Science, a multitude of prodigals is returning with lifted head, buoyant step, restored health, and self-respect from the "far country" of physical and moral suffering, fear, poverty, and sorrow, the elation and downfall of self-will. Each one's better self, untouched by the temporary eclipse, appears in the radiance of pure sonship. In newborn dependence we discover our heritage direct from God. We abide in the plenteousness of the Father's house, the consciousness of Love. "God is our Shepherd," our Leader says (ibid., pp. 150, 151): "He guards, guides, feeds, and folds the sheep of His pasture; and their ears are attuned to His call."

Violet Ker Seymer

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