RADIO PROGRAM No. 120 - The Way to a Brighter Future

On this program Frederick W. Boorer of Toronto, Canada, told of his own experience. The program was as follows:

Speaker: All of us are tempted to wonder at one time or another just what the future has in store for us. Now, just to rely on human planning or opinions is often a very unsatisfactory way to work out our problems. But the fact is that divine guidance is always at hand to lead us in ways which bring out God's goodness and tender care. Our guest today found this to be true in his own experience at a time when the future seemed very dark. I'd like you to meet Frederick W. Boorer of Toronto, Canada. Won't you tell us the circumstances?

Mr. Boorer: Yes. My wife and I were having a hard time financially. But we were both students of Christian Science, and we were learning that God would direct us and supply our needs. So I had taken a job that involved door-to-door selling. It didn't seem very promising, but I was confident that God was directing me. In making my calls. I came to a home where a man and his wife were manufacturing quality women's knitwear on a small knitting machine in their basement. After I talked with them and examined their product, I saw this could be developed into a profitable business.

It was clear that here was an answer to prayer, and a plan unfolded very quickly to me. I proposed it to this couple, and they accepted it. Within a short time I built up a sales organization which produced remarkable results.

About a year later, while the organization was still expanding, the owner, without a word of warning, told inc that my services would no longer be required. He said his son could continue the work which I had organized. As our original arrangement had been a verbal one, I had to leave.

Turning to God in prayer for a solution to this perplexing problem, it came to me that my original idea of building a unique sales organization for this business unfolded as a direct result of my understanding of man's true relationship to God, as revealed through the study of the writings of the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy. I saw clearly that I could neither be robbed of a right idea nor its fruitage through selfishness or injustice. This idea was still available to be used for the glory of God and the continued blessing of mankind in some other way which God, divine Mind, would show me.

I talked over the situation with my wife, and we earnestly prayed for divine guidance as to the next step that should be taken. In studying the Bible I came across a very helpful verse, "They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands."

As I read this I realized that the divine idea that had originally presented itself could still, if sufficiently appreciated and unreservedly followed, supply our needs just as it had before. Instantly, the name of a city in our province came to me very clearly. I knew of no one in that town with whom I might possibly work out a similar arrangement. But the following day my wife and I drove to this city. We stopped at the local post office, and I asked if anyone in town was making women's knitwear to order. I was told that a man and his wife made this wear in a place very near the post office. I went down and talked to this couple whom I had never seen before. I examined their merchandise and found it of even finer quality and style than the goods of the other firm. Within three hours I obtained a written contract to merchandise the output of this small plant along lines similar to those previously arranged with the former concern. The result was a much happier working arrangement for me and a much more profitable one. A great many people were helped and blessed as this organization grew and prospered.

And it is very clear to me that it all was possible through trust in God's direction and the willingness to use the right ideas which come as a result of recognizing God as all-powerful infinite Mind.

Speaker: Your experience certainly holds important lessons for all of us. Mr. Boorer. It shows that the future is indeed bright with promise when we learn to accept divine guidance in all our affairs.

But, friends, is it reasonable to expect God's guidance in finding the answer to a human need like that of our guest? It most certainly is. There's nothing new or irreverent or impractical about it. In the Bible we find many accounts of those who found their need supplied because they listened for God to guide them. During a long drought and famine the prophet Elijah was divinely directed to go to Zarephath where a widow woman sustained him until the drought ended. When the children of Israel needed a king, Samuel turned to God for guidance and was led to the home of Jesse where he found David. And when Christ Jesus needed a place in which to hold the last supper, he relied on divine direction and sent two of his disciples to a man who had a suitable upper room furnished and ready for them.

In his Sermon on the Mount, Christ Jesus emphasized very strongly God's provision for every human need. He made clear that it's right at hand for everyone. In the light of this it's not difficult to see how our guest today could he divinely directed, as a result of earnest prayer, to a new city where more satisfactory employment was awaiting him.

Now someone may ask, "But how can I have divine guidance?" The Sermon on the Mount answers that question also. Jesus brought out God's abundant provision for every need and His loving care for all His children. He made it plain that we must have absolute faith in God's goodness. From all his teachings we learn that God is Love— boundless, infinite Love—that gives all good. God's guidance and care are always present for us to accept. So we need to realize that we can never be separated from God or His love for man. How could lack, limitation, injustice, insecurity express the nature of God? How could they come from God, who is infinite Love? The answer is, They don't. And further, when we welcome into our thoughts a better understanding of God, this removes discord and adversity.

Now, it's obvious that something is required of us—a willingness to listen for divine direction. We need to mellow our thinking with meekness and humility and with a genuine trust in God. Thus we get rid of fear, confusion, uncertainty by turning our thoughts wholeheartedly to what God's love for man really means. When the mists of doubt and fear are dispersed, we see the right way to go, and we are willing to walk in it. Then we have the guidance we need.

As Mary Baker Eddy says in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 254 ), "When we wait patiently on God and seek Truth righteously, He directs our path." As soon as we realize that God's goodness is even more abundant than the air we breathe, we see that if we do our part, we can look to the future with confidence. This Bible promise is for all of us: "Thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying. This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left."

The musical selection on today's program was Hymn No. 53 from the Christian Science Hymnal (Everlasting arms of Love).