Article October 12, 1946 Issue

How Can I Be Sure?

MORTON BRAINARD KEEGAN

Have you at some time hesitated, when about to take a new step or make a decision, and asked yourself. "How can I be sure this is right?" Do your human undertakings and endeavors seem shadowed with some misgiving? Like a fledgling poised precariously on the brink of a chasm, awaiting an auspicious moment to try new-found wings, do you find yourself drawing back, doubting, mistrusting, at the final moment of action?

True assurance is born of the spiritual understanding of real selfhood. Many have proved false the limitations imposed by thinking of the humanly possible and impossible through awakening to man's being as the expression of perfect good, Life, God. Any undertaking whose purpose is to help others or to meet a legitimate need can be accomplished only through the talent and ability to be found in Mind. Mary Baker Eddy, on page 265 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," writes of some of the effects of this understanding of man as the expression of God. "This scientific sense of being, forsaking matter for Spirit, by no means suggests man's absorption into Deity and the loss of his identity, but confers upon man enlarged individuality, a wider sphere of thought and action, a more expansive love, a higher and more permanent peace."

The human mind's skepticism concerning the fulfillment of a newborn inspiration or the success of some new activity often results in a feeling of futility. Jesus himself was "tempted of the devil." When he was fulfilling his glorious mission, he too came to a place where temptations tried to intrude themselves and interrupt his career. "The devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and saith unto him. All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me." But because Jesus understood himself to be the Son and heir of God, he demonstrated dominion and confidently went forward with the work he had been appointed to do. None of the lying suggestions made any impression upon him. They could not and did not, therefore, have any deterring, discouraging, or diverting influence.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

"He ... shall laugh"