Article July 13, 1940 Issue

Opportunity versus Time

THOMAS L. LEISHMAN

IN our busy modern world, there is perhaps no cry more insistent, no excuse more prevalent, than this, that the individual does not have sufficient time for constructive thinking or activity. Realizing the subtle dangers inherent in such a mental attitude, which tends to limit true progress, Mary Baker Eddy defines "time," in part, thus (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 595): "Mortal measurements; limits, in which are summed up all human acts, thoughts, beliefs, opinions, knowledge; matter; error."

The Scriptures clearly state that the only "accepted time" is "now" (II Corinthians 6:2); and to the extent that we realize this fact the limitations and delays of "time," in the usual sense, are overcome, and we are free to accept our God-given birthright of present perfection. Indeed, we cannot attain to the full demonstration of Christian Science until we free ourselves from the self-imposed bondage of time, and gain clear consciousness of the eternality of Life, Truth, and Love. Progress in this direction is hastened by the substitution of the thought of opportunity for that of time.

In one of his well-known parables, that of the laborers in the vineyard, recorded in the twentieth chapter of Mathew's Gospel, Jesus gives clear and vivid expression to this thought. A certain "householder" is said to have gone out at dawn to find men who would work for him, and the Gospel record suggests that those whom hired at that time stipulated that they should receive a certain definite sum for so many hours of work: "he . . . agreed with the labourers for a penny a day." Some hours later, the owner of the vineyard visited the marketplace, and found there others waiting to find employment. They too were hired, and were sent to work in the vineyard; but in their willingness to serve they wasted no time in bargaining with their employer as to the amount of pay which they were to receive, but went to work with a will, evidently fully satisfied with his promise, "Whatsoever is right I will give you" (verse 4).

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