Article March 28, 1942 Issue

How Can I Serve?

EVE CRAIN

One frequently hears the remark: "I should like to serve in some way, but what can I do?" Those sincerely asking this question will remember that God gives impartially to all His children; therefore each one has some Godbestowed gift of service to offer. The form which this individual service is to take will most surely unfold proportionately as we honestly desire to serve. But truly to serve God, we must be willing to put first things first. An example of this unfoldment is seen in the instance of King David, a loyal servant of God, who felt his serving would not be complete until he had built a house of God. He began this undertaking, but soon found that his people did not share his vision. They were unwilling to serve.

David was not only a wise king; he was loving. Therefore, instead of commanding, he entreated his subjects in these words (I Chronicles 29:5): "And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord?" In the ninth verse of the same chapter we find the people's answer to King David's appeal: "Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the Lord: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy." When the language of Spirit was understood, the response to David's call for service was joyous, willing, and satisfying, as it is today. When Love fills us with the desire to serve, then Love unfolds the way.

In our age, another consecrated servant of God, Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, also felt the need of building a house of God. But she knew that the true church must be built first in the consciousness of the individual. She saw "Church" as "the structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 583). Like David, she called upon her followers whose lives had felt the healing touch of Truth to consecrate their service "unto the Lord." Through her prayers and the loyal support of Christian workers, Mrs. Eddy established and built The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, which stands as a substantial monument to Christianity.

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