Article November 9, 1957 Issue

LOOK NOT BACK

J. BUROUGHS STOKES

An athlete who is running a race must never look back. He knows from experience that to do so may cause him to break his stride or to stumble and thus to lose all possibilities of winning. Despite the roar of the crowd or the sound of pursuit, his gaze must be held straight ahead as he speeds toward the finish line.

Similarly, as we "press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:14), we should look ahead to our goal instead of turning back to error or past mistakes. Lingering in the past may cause us to stumble and may delay our progress Spiritward. Christian Science teaches that in order to win "the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus," we must in every way follow in the footsteps of the Master. Jesus acknowledged and adored one infinite God. He recognized man and the universe to be spiritual, perfect ideas of the one and only divine Mind. He understood all discord, disease, sin, and error to be the work of the evil one, or one evil, and consequently devoid of reality, substance, or intelligence.

The Master's conscious spiritual understanding of God and man enabled him to overcome the world, the flesh, and every material law. Accordingly, he proved man's perfection and dominion as the child of God. Despite the press of the multitude, the temptations, or the attacks of evil, he held true to his course and by so doing demonstrated for all mankind how they too can win the crown.

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