Article October 16, 1954 Issue

LOOK NOT BACK

ELIZABETH BICE LUERSSEN

In the first book of the Bible (Gen. 19) is related the story of Lot and his family, who were promised deliverance from the doomed city of Sodom but cautioned not to look back. We read that when Lot's wife disregarded the warning and turned for another look at the scene of destruction, "she became a pillar of salt." Bitter, indeed, is the experience of one who persists in dwelling in thought upon unhappy events in the past. Thereby he often suffers more than when the event supposedly occurred.

One reason, perhaps, why we are tempted to look back with regret is the suggestion that a mistake has been made; that if only we had it to do over again a very different course of action would be pursued, with far happier results. Examined in the light of spiritual understanding, however, the fallacy of such an argument is clearly seen. What is necessary in the present is to correct our thinking about the past and to be sure that our daily living is manifesting true growth. We must rejoice in the assurance that perfect intelligence always has governed and always will govern the universe, including man, thus proving the belief in past mistakes or fear of future ones to have no real part in our lives.

Another excuse for looking back is the erroneous claim that things were better then; that one was happier, perhaps freer, healthier, or richer. But this claim, too, is disputed by divine Science on the basis that all the good that ever was, is available now, since God, the source of all good, is ever present. Mary Baker Eddy defines God thus (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 587): "The great I am; the all-knowing, all-seeing, all-acting, all-wise, all-loving, and eternal; Principle; Mind; Soul; Spirit; Life; Truth; Love; all substance; intelligence." The present availability of infinite joy, freedom, perfection, and substance is clearly discerned by one who accepts and demonstrates this concept of God as "the great I am" in its fullest spiritual meaning.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY!