In Ecclesiastes we read (3:1): "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." But how often the material senses tempt us to think otherwise! These false senses would have us put off until tomorrow what should be done today or to overwork today through fear of less favorable circumstances tomorrow.

The mortal senses would have us believe that opportunities are limited or that they can come too fast, too soon, or too late. But such beliefs of limitation are contrary to God's law of love, and therefore they are powerless to interfere with His harmonious and wise government of the spiritual universe and all that it includes.

Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, writes in "Retrospection and Introspection" (p. 87), "The poet's line, 'Order is heaven's first law,' is so eternally true, so axiomatic, that it has become a truism; and its wisdom is as obvious in religion and scholarship as in astronomy or mathematics." With every God-given opportunity, we can confidently expect to be supplied with the time and the ability necessary for its complete and satisfactory fulfillment.

The understanding and application of the fact that "order is heaven's first law" tend to preclude the possibility of confusion, conflicting interests and demands, or untimely or overlapping opportunities and activities. The orderly and precise movements of the planets around the sun symbolize the perfect balance and harmony forever maintained in the realm of Spirit, God.

The public relations department of a national organization planned to invite a group of people to be its guests on an extended airplane tour. The writer was informed that his name was among those being considered and was asked if he would be interested in the project. It appealed to him very much. There was one difficulty, however. If he joined the tour, he would miss the annual meeting of the Christian Science association of which he is a member, because the meeting would take place while the tour was in progress.

Attendance at such meetings, he realized, was not only a duty but could do much to further his spiritual growth and education. In replying to the inquiry, he decided to make no mention of the conflicting dates. He merely stated that he was interested in making such a trip, and he left the outcome to God.

He well knew that he could safely do this because, as Christian Science reveals, an understanding of the allness and ever-presence of divine Mind, God, faithfully applied ensures against any clash of purpose, decision, or direction in one's human experience. Furthermore, Christian Science enabled him to see that any activity it was right for him to engage in could not result in a deprivation.

In due course, word was received that he was one of the chosen guests, but he was also told that the time of the tour had been changed. The new departure date proved to be the day after his association was to meet. As it worked out, he was able to attend the meeting and to make the tour as well. Both proved to be most rewarding.

In Romans, the Apostle Paul wrote (8:28), "We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Christian Science teaches that we are showing true love for God when we understandingly attribute to Him all power and intelligence and recognize His constant ability to govern and direct wisely and harmoniously every right activity.

In God's universe there are no surplus ideas, but each idea fills an individual niche in God's kingdom. Anything implied by the thought of chance or accident, excess or lack, is unknown in the universe of Mind, God. Yet mortal sense may tempt us to argue: If only I were in a different environment. If only this or that had or had not happened. If only I had known of the opportunity sooner.

Christian Science teaches that in the spiritual universe—which in reality is here and now—ifs, doubts, fears, regrets, and the like, have no place or power. In this Science, we learn that God, being divine Principle, is incapable of error. When we realize that man is God's image and likeness, we can prove that we are immune to discord, accidents, and failures or to their seeming effects and influence.

The earthly experience of the great Way-shower, Christ Jesus, affords inspiring proof of this fact. For example, in the midst of a storm at sea, his realization of God's ever-available supremacy and goodness brought immediate peace and calm to the turbulent waves and wind.

Confronted on many occasions with evidences of disease and deformity, the Master's spiritual sense of God's perfection and purity and of man's perfection as God's reflection brought instantaneous health and freedom to afflicted individuals.

Christian Science enables us to see that all disease and discord are the results of wrong thinking. Hence, if we would be healthy and have our affairs go smoothly, let us be orderly and correct in our thinking. Let us bar our mental doors to all unloving, fearful, erroneous thoughts and strive to entertain only the pure and perfect thoughts which God is forever unfolding in man. A consciousness thus disciplined and purified will be manifested outwardly in better health and more joyous and satisfying accomplishments.

"'Let there be light,' is the perpetual demand of Truth and Love, changing chaos into order and discord into the music of the spheres," writes Mrs. Eddy on page 255 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." Obviously we need to understand and obey this demand. As we do, there will be no basis or cause for doubt or discouragement. It will be seen that the darkness of discord is powerless to resist the light of Truth, and "the music of the spheres"—harmony and order—will accompany and enrich our daily work and affairs.

The words of a familiar hymn (Christian Science Hymnal, No. 329) tell us:

Beauty, grandeur, order, belong to us to experience now and always as we are grateful for and strive to be obedient to "heaven's first law."