EVER-PRESENT OPPORTUNITY

ELSIE STAHL ODERWALD

There are many theories regarding opportunity, some of which are conflicting: that it comes and goes, that it does not present itself to all, that it can be lost, and that it is sometimes an avenue of good and sometimes of evil. Acceptance of or submission to such beliefs leads to sorrow, suffering, and lack.

In the first chapter of Genesis we learn that God created the universe and that this creation is completely good. We learn, too, that man is the image and likeness of God, omnipresent good. Thus it follows that man continuously manifests intelligence, wisdom, beauty, perfection, joy, abundance, and dominion. All the qualities of God are expressed in His universe and have never been adulterated, lost, or destroyed. Therefore, in reality, there is and can be no lost opportunity, no lack of opportunity, and no opportunity for evil. The opportunity to do and receive good is ever present, is coexistent with God, the only creator.

In the proportion that we identify ourselves and act as the children of God we find not only the opportunity for good at hand, but the strength and ability to utilize it. In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mary Baker Eddy says (p. 261), "Hold thought steadfastly to the enduring, the good, and the true, and you will bring these into your experience proportionably to their occupancy of your thoughts." Opportunities must be utilized or improved. It will then become evident that in reality we have never been subject to loss or postponement of good, for man is ever at the point of perfection, in the midst of all good.

But what of the so-called opportunity for evil? Our Leader states that "there is neither place nor opportunity in Science for error of any sort" (ibid., pp. 232,233). Is man ever out of Science—that is, separated from knowledge of perfection? No! For man is the creation of our Father-Mother God, perfectly and divinely created and maintained. There is no other creation, no other man. Therefore no opportunity to do or receive evil can present itself to man, to the consciousness filled with good, to the one expressing God's qualities.

A student of Christian Science graduated from college during a so-called business depression. She was told not only that positions were scarce, but that her field was closed to women. For a time the student yielded to both suggestions and endeavored to train herself in another profession. But because her efforts were based on the false premise of lack of opportunity they bore no fruit.

Then, like the disciples, she cast her net on the right side; she prepared her consciousness to receive all that her Father had in store for her. She no longer accepted the suggestions of depression, closed doors, and unbalanced supply and demand. The truth that there is a demand for every supply of good and a supply for every demand for good became very clear to her. In a short time, she was offered a position in her field supposedly closed to women. The student was able to open the way for other women in this field, and after several years of fruitful work she left that profession as the highest salaried woman in the company.

God has given us the opportunity as well as the ability to do and to receive good. Let us therefore strive to utilize our heritage of unfailing wisdom, intelligence, joy, strength—every divine quality—so that we may be prepared to accept the Father's blessing. In Galatians we read (5:7), "Who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?"

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THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE READING ROOM

January 15, 1955

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