Human attainments in such various fields as the scholastic, scientific, literary, and also in the sports world are usually regarded as important and worthwhile. Because of this, it is not always easy for the individual to recognize how the Christian Scientist regards attainment.

In Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy says, "To divest thought of false trusts and material evidences in order that the spiritual facts of being may appear,—this is the great attainment by means of which we shall sweep away the false and give place to the true" (p. 428). The only true attainment, then, is inward and is spiritual, although this must, of course, have its outward manifestation.

The Christian Scientist who is working to attain distinction in the academic, the professional, or the artistic should guard against the human tendency to allow his thought to become focused on the desired outward result. He should fix his aim on the demonstration of God-bestowed qualities resulting from his spiritual coexistence with God—the source of all power, law, intelligence, knowledge, and creativeness. In the measure that he does this, he will be successful.

By working for the demonstration of spirituality rather than a mere outward accomplishment, the Christian Scientist will avoid wasting his energy and experiencing frustration and disappointment. Instead of using uninspired human effort and self-will, he will let spiritual understanding direct him. This understanding is based on the knowledge that man is not a mortal struggling alone; he is the spiritual reflection of God, omnipotent and omniscient Mind; and as God's reflection, man is perfect, harmonious, and endowed with infinite capacity.

Mrs. Eddy tells us (ibid., p. 336): "The spiritual man's consciousness and individuality are reflections of God. They are the emanations of Him who is Life, Truth, and Love."

By seeking the inward and spiritual attainment rather than the outward and material result, one is assured not only of progress and success, but also of true satisfaction and joy. In the Sermon on the Mount, we have this command of Christ Jesus followed by this promise: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matt. 6:33). Thus when success is achieved as an expression of spiritual understanding, it is valued not only for its own sake, but also for its fulfillment of the Master's promise.

Before becoming a Christian Scientist, I studied for a university diploma and a professional qualification. At that time I was far more concerned with gaining the desired outward results than with demonstrating spirituality. After the diploma and qualification were awarded to me, I was disappointed in the achievement. Something vital was lacking, but I did not then know what it was.

It was not until I studied Christian Science that I realized that these academic attainments had been a disappointment to me for years because I had sought them to satisfy selfish ambition rather than to glorify God and to bless others. I learned that no attainment is satisfying unless it is founded on the Christ, the true idea of divine Love.

To found any and every activity on the Christ is to pursue the way of self-immolation with a willingness to lay down all to prove Truth and to deny error. This indeed is "the great attainment"!

Joyous, satisfying, and exhilarating as is the climbing of this ever-ascending pathway to "the great attainment" there come for each one of us times when the way appears, to human sense, to be rugged and difficult. It is wise for us to prepare ourselves to be ready to meet such situations with courage at the actual time.

The way to do this has been pointed out to us by our Leader from her own experience. On page 426 of Science and Health, she writes: "The discoverer of Christian Science finds the path less difficult when she has the high goal always before her thoughts, than when she counts her footsteps in endeavoring to reach it. When the destination is desirable, expectation speeds our progress."

We can strengthen our foothold and speed our progress toward the truth of spiritual being by constantly keeping clear in our consciousness the goal of demonstrating the Christ, Truth. It is through the Christ, the divine idea, that we are redeemed from the so-called laws of mortality and are enabled to prove the wonder, power, and beauty of immortality.

As we persist in the denial of matter and the affirmation of the allness of Spirit, we shall rejoice in the new life of Spirit and its fruits of love, joy, meekness, tenderness, peace, patience, and power.

In this rejoicing in the new life and divine power, we must ever remind ourselves that our attainments are won not through any selfish effort or mere human power but through the love and power of the Christ within us and that it is to the Christ that all honor and glory are due. Thus with the Apostle Paul we can declare (Gal. 6:14), "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world."