Many are the diversified human problems which have been solved in Christian Science through a spiritual understanding of Love's omnipotence. Even a faint perception of the irresistible and unlimited nature of divine power supplies the student with needful courage, destroys fear, and brings the comforting assurance that evil, by whatever name, is forever impotent. A simple childlike faith that all things are possible to God has often resulted in instantaneous healing.

In cases where healing is not instantaneous, and especially where convalescence seems prolonged, the advancing student learns that individual Christian experience sometimes includes testing times, moments when in the face of delayed recovery or apparently insufficient spiritual understanding he must patiently persist in affirming God's supremacy until error yields completely to Love's invincible power. But it should be remembered that the Scientist must carefully search his own thought to determine the cause of retarded demonstration, for such delay cannot be charged to any inadequacy on the part of divine Love, nor does it imply that certain phases of evil are especially difficult to cure. Because error in reality cannot and does not offer opposition to omnipotence, it must be clear to the metaphysician that any suggestion of its tenacity is the supposititious effect of mesmerism. The question then is, How can the student break this mesmerism and demonstrate without interruption or delay the living all-presence of almighty Love?

The writer of the epistle to the Hebrews made the following observation regarding scientific treatment or prayer (11:6): "He that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Analyzing the first of these two conditions, we may safely assume that every Christian Scientist acknowledges without reservation the existence of God, infinite Love, and His unlimited power. Then may not failure to demonstrate Love's power spring from ignorance of what the second condition implies, namely, Love's divine willingness to heal mankind?

God's almighty power exists, and how great should be the gratitude of every Christian Scientist for the unfoldment of this wonderful truth! But more than this, God, divine Love, "is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him," who spiritually understand that His omnipotence is ever at their disposal, impartially accessible, and divinely inexhaustible. It is God's loving design that all men shall utilize this power and reap the fruits of spiritual demonstration.

The truth of Love's constant willingness—yes, Love's eagerness —to perpetuate and preserve each idea of its perfect creation must be as readily seen and acknowledged by the Christian Science student as the correlative fact of Love's irresistible power itself. Divine healing is based on nothing less than a full recognition of both these indispensable factors. It is plain that if an all-powerful God were unwilling to aid men, divine healing would be impossible, since God's will is supreme. Conversely, if God were willing to heal, but lacked the power to do so, His creation would be in an equally sad plight. The scientific understanding that Love is both infinitely able and divinely willing to heal mankind leaves error without any logical basis for existing.

Turning to the writings of Mary Baker Eddy, the student finds that in them our Leader links together the dual healing factors of deific power and willingness. In her Love-inspired textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the scriptures," we read (p. 218), "Why pray for the recovery of the sick, if you are without faith in God's willingness and ability to heal them?" And on pages 493 and 494 of the textbook, after declaring the ability of Christ, Truth, to raise the dead, she asks the pointed question, "Who dares to doubt this consummate test of the power and willingness of divine Mind to hold man forever intact in his perfect state, and to govern man's entire action?"

Honestly pondered, our beloved Leader's questions may lead to helpful discoveries. Is the student daring to doubt God's loving intentions regarding his individual welfare, or maintaining a skeptical attitude concerning Love's disposition to supply his every need? Is he firmly believing in God's willingness to use His infallible power in his behalf, as well as acknowledging the power itself? If not, he needs a greater conviction of God's specific interest in each idea, His impartial solicitude and distinct concern for every one of His precious children. The divine Mind, which is forever conscious of all identities, withholds its unlimited good from none. God could no more express indifference or reluctance toward one of His spiritual offspring than the noonday sun could withhold solar light and heat.

Can there be found in the scriptures a more touching example of paternal affection than the parable of the prodigal son which Jesus related? In the father's heart-warming display of affection and forgiveness the great Master depicts metaphorically the infinite and everlasting love of God for all His children. Truly the tender solicitude of divine Love and the ready balm of scientific healing ever await the spiritual discernment of everyone. If one is struggling with a sense of sin or of sickness, if he is lonely or afraid, or if a dark shadow of sorrow or loss threatens to extinguish the sweet sunshine of his peace and happiness, let him ponder well this parable and remember that the depths of the heavenly Father's love can never be sounded and its inexhaustible avenues of inspiration and blessing can never be numbered.

Today God, divine Love, is ready to heal us of all our ills, to cleanse us from all that is impure, to exchange our mourning for joy and praise. The all-powerful arm of divine Love is even now stretched out to save us, to give us an abundance of all things needful. Let us turn from the material sense of things and begin at once the journey back to our Father's house, the consciousness of peace, joy, purity, health, and abundance. Let us rejoice every step of the way that our God is tender, all-powerful Love. And let us never forget the divine willingness of omnipotent Love.