In the design of Love all God's children have an abundance of every needful thing eternally. All forms of lack, then, are the result of submission to a false so-called law of matter that can be set aside by applying God's law of abundance, which is operative here and now and always. The Scriptures tell of those who, through radical reliance upon God, demonstrated abundance in the face of seeming lack. As God is unchanging, it must be plain that these demonstrations can be made now as well as they were then. The prophet Isaiah gave most simple, direct instructions for realizing God's bountiful blessings: "If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land."

What it means to be "willing and obedient" is a question that confronts everyone who is learning to work out the problem of supply from a wholly spiritual basis; and there is in reality no other basis. It must mean more than blind faith in an unknown God, for thinking people could not yield a measure of willing obedience to something of which they had no demonstrable knowledge. Christian Science has made available to this and all future ages the truth about God and His relation to man, a clear, demonstrable understanding of which dispels the could of doubt and fear. When we once grasp the nature of God, as taught in Christian Science, which is strictly in accord with the Scriptures, we render joyous, willing obedience to His law of love. We are then on the highway of life that leads out of the wilderness of belief in the reality of matter with its limitations of sin, sickness, and death, to the ever-present realm of Spirit, wherein are no tears or fears, where lack is unknown, and Love, infinitely gracious, tender, and compassionate, reigns supreme.

Christian Science is scientific and complete. It calls for wholehearted reliance on God at all times, under all circumstances. When this is rendered, the results are as certain as are the results of a mathematical computation when the rules have been correctly followed.

Common usage has somewhat adulterated the meaning of the word "obedience." It has come to mean, in many cases, distasteful, forced service to some stronger will or power. We learn in Christian Science that willing obedience is not blind service, but rather willingness to accept what a loving, tender Father-Mother God has wisely provided—willingness to leave the chaff for the wheat, poverty for abundance, sorrow for joy, and fear for that "perfect love" which casts out all fear and doubt.

The shepherd leading his flock to abundant pastures and clear waters might serve to illustrate God's tender care for His children. The sheep follow the shepherd obediently, for they love him, and he leads them to a good pasture. He never fails them. So those instructed in Christian Science learn to love God supremely, and to follow His commands joyously, expectantly. In so far as they interpret and follow His commands correctly and faithfully, they find their every human need abundantly supplied. Every Scriptural promise is conditional on our living up to our highest sense of right, doing unto others as we would have them do unto us. While we pursue any line of action or harbor any thought that we know is not right, we shut ourselves out from the light of Love, lose sight of the shepherd, and wander in the bypaths of want and woe. But willingness to follow, even in small degree, will bring us again into the right road.

When we turn to divine Love, earnestly desiring that all error in our lives be righted, making no reservations whatever, we may rest assured that the searchlight of Truth will uncover and destroy the error, frequently lurking unknown in our consciousness and temporarily robbing us of God's bounties. This improved mental state is always followed by an inexpressible sense of peace, and consequent relief from fears and worries. A false sense of self-condemnation or unworthiness may hinder wholehearted willingness and obedience. The mistakes and shortcomings of the past may linger in our though and rob us of the joy rightfully ours. The Scriptural requirements are willingness and obedience. They speak not of any past or future. The promise not limited to any nationality or creed. No special mental or physical training is necessary. Time is no factor in this glorious promise. The promise stands now, and "God is no respecter of persons." "Love is impartial and universal in its adaptation and bestowals. It is the open fount which cries, 'Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters.'" So writes Mary Baker Eddy on page 13 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures."

Willingness and obedience are passports to this fount. Some may be kept away from it through fear that they will be required to take steps they deem distasteful or humiliating. This is a mistake. God is Love, and His ways are ways of loveliness. His promise is, "My people shall never be ashamed." Let those who hesitate to follow the shepherd to green pastures, through fear of being called upon to leave behind some cherished, harmless pleasure, be assured by the Psalmist's words concerning God, "In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."

Working out the question of employment or supply, we should not limit our thought of service to a certain line of activity, even though our training has been along that line. Christian Science broadens thought, and we may be sure that through God's help we can do anything we are required to do. We are willing to follow the shepherd when we fully understand that at all times we are being led on to better things.

Love for God is the only sure way of being willing and obedient. We learn to love God when we learn that God is Love, and that He loves all at all times. By nature all God's children are loving, compassionate, kind, honest, pure, and true. We see God's love manifested everywhere. We hear and see it, symbolically, in the joyous song of the bird and its care for its young. We see it in the spontaneous smile of the little child. All the beauties of nature typify God's love to man. The fruits of forest and field speak to us of His loving providence for His children. Who, then, would not render joyous, willing obedience to God, and so "eat the good of the land"?