Article June 29, 1935 Issue

"The guest of God"

IRMA DECKER

While visiting in a large city, a student of Christian Science was returning to her hotel late at night. The streets were brilliantly lighted and there was an air of joyous activity; but no scene or face was familiar to her. As she entered her room a sense of loneliness swept over her, and for the moment she had the sense of being far away from all that expressed home and friends. Turning instinctively to her textbooks, the Bible and "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," she found the needed comfort, and a calm, peaceful consciousness of home replaced all sense of strangeness. These words written by Mrs. Eddy in Science and Health (p. 254), understood, were sufficient to bring her peace and joy: "Pilgrim on earth, thy home is heaven; stranger, thou art the guest of God." Pilgrim, indeed! We are all pilgrims on earth, travelers in the "desert of human hopes" (ibid., p. 566); but do we always realize that it is possible to find heaven on earth?

Whether one is in a foreign land or in his own home, he can fill his consciousness with spiritual qualities, such as love, joy, peace, and harmony, which constitute his heavenly home. After a glimpse of the spiritual consciousness, one is never contented with the limited view of a material existence, and the pilgrim sets out in search of that "wider sphere of thought and action" of which our Leader tells us on page 265 of Science and Health. The pathway may seem beset by the arguments of fear and limitation—it may be a sense of loss of a loved one, of employment, home, or money. The extremes of mortal belief would seem to block one's advancing course; but no argument can separate one from his Father or rob him of his ability to reflect God. Companionship with God makes one a better companion with his fellow men. The loss of the mortal sense of man means gain in one's spiritual concept of individuality. God's love is impartial. Therefore our reflection of Love should include all, and enable us to dwell harmoniously with all men without absorbing or binding anyone.

Infinite spiritual consciousness provides abundant love to fill all human needs. Home is not dependent upon persons, places, or houses, but is actually the consciousness of divine Love reflected in protection, companionship, and true abundance. In the midst of the confusion and turmoil of a busy city, or the seeming limitation and dullness of the smallest countryside, one may find the peace, dominion, and activity which are inherently his by reflection.

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