No Retirement from Coexistence

Numbers of salaried workers in business and industry are dismayed by the thought of compulsory retirement at a certain age. From a human point of view their dismay is understandable, since many men and women at retirement age are mentally and physically capable of continuing to serve their employers well for years longer. Even the security of a generous pension does not dispel the dread of being put on the shelf. They are disturbed by the suggestion that their productive years are numbered and their usefulness at an end.

This suggestion can exert no power over one who counters it with Christian Science. One student of this Science found a completely effective counteracting thought in the concept of coexistence.

Many find that the concept of man as coexistent with God is one of the most practical working ideas given by Mrs. Eddy. In the Concordance to the textbook, Science and Health, of which she is author, there are no fewer than sixteen citations involving the word "coexist " and related words. One such citation reads: "God and man are not the same, but in the order of divine Science, God and man coexist and are eternal."  ^{Science and Health, p. 336 ;} In another place is this sentence: "Man and woman as coexistent and eternal with God forever reflect, in glorified quality, the infinite Father-Mother God."  ^p.516;

Mrs. Eddy also gives a number of helpful illustrations of coexistence. She writes, "As a drop of water is one with the ocean, a ray of light one with the sun, even so God and man, Father and son, are one in being."  ^{p. 361;} It was the illustration of the sunbeam and the sun that appealed most strongly to the student mentioned above. By way of Scriptural warranty for this concept, Mrs. Eddy cites Paul's ringing declaration on Mars' Hill: "In him we live, and move, and have our being."  ^{Acts 17:28 ;}

This student thought: "The implications of this concept are of tremendous scope. They reach far and cut deep. If the concept means anything at all, it means that nothing can happen to me that has not first happened to God. I not only live and move in Him as His image and likeness but also work in Him. Our coexistence is a working relationship human retirement cannot change. Years or actuarial statistics or company rules have absolutely nothing to do with it. It is timeless. It is forever."

He hewed to this line of reasoning. As a result the transition from an executive position in business, which he had held for many years, to self-employment in an altogether different field was harmonious. In business he had grown accustomed to hard work and had learned to like it. Soon he found he was working harder in the new activity than he had ever worked before. And what was more significant and gratifying, he was doing so with a lighter heart, a greater feeling of accomplishment, and a rewarding sense of being about his Father's business. Whereas formerly he had worked primarily for money to meet family needs, his efforts now were directed toward giving at least a measure of expression to the words of the Way-shower, Christ Jesus: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."  ^{Matt.5:16 .}

The one who accepts this concept of his individual relationship to his Maker can contemplate enforced separation from a job in business or industry with equanimity and gratitude—even with zest. Eventually he will find himself rejoicing in the knowledge that there is no retirement from coexistence.