Article February 28, 1948 Issue

CALM REFLECTION

DORIS M. SMITH

In the first chapter of Genesis we read (verse 26), "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." In our study of Christian Science, when speaking of man, we are constantly using the two words "image" and "likeness." Mary Baker Eddy gives us another word, "reflection." On page 471 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" she writes, "Man is, and forever has been, God's reflection."

This word "reflection," as used in Christian Science, has always been a great help to me. It enables me to get a better understanding of the inseparable unity of God and man. Pondering this eternal unity, I see clearly that man can reflect, or express, only the nature of God, the qualities and attributes of Life, Truth, Love, Spirit, Soul, Mind, Principle—nothing else. It is impossible for man to reflect or express anything which does not belong to the nature of God. For example: God is Love. Therefore as Love's reflection, man reflects or expresses love, compassion, tenderness. Man cannot reflect hate, cruelty, or revenge, because these are not of God, Love. God is Principle. Thus as Principle's reflection, man reflects or expresses law, order, justice. Man cannot reflect lawlessness, disorder, and injustice, because these are no part of God, Principle. God is Truth. So as Truth's reflection, man reflects or expresses truthfulness, honesty, integrity. Man cannot reflect falsity, dishonesty, and deceit, because these do not exist in God, Truth.

Working from the standpoint of man as God's reflection solves problems. For a number of years in my business life as an accountant I was burdened by a sense of responsibility in my work. Having learned of this inseparable unity of God and man, I worked to gain a clearer sense of man as God's reflection. Every morning upon reaching the office and before beginning my duties for the day I affirmed that God is Mind, unerring and infinite, and that I reflected the wisdom, intelligence, and accuracy of Mind. This affirmation and realization of my true being removed fear, excitement, and anxiety from my consciousness and replaced them with courage, assurance, and calmness. In this way the false sense of responsibility was completely lifted, and in the years that followed my accountancy work was a pleasure.

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