Most of us yearn for a mission in life, a calling to which we can commit ourselves, a lifework that feels right to us. Certainly for such a mission to give complete satisfaction, it needs to include an assurance that we are following an inspired pathway and making a significant contribution to society.

But how do we find this kind of mission? Or, if we think we have such a mission already, how can we be sure we're really on the right track?

Christian Science, which provides satisfying answers to every question facing mankind, throws light on this subject too. Mrs. Eddy makes these arresting statements; "God is responsible for the mission of those whom He has anointed. Those who know no will but His take His hand, and from the night He leads to light." ^{Miscellaneous Writings, p. 347;}

To some, the idea that God can guide us in finding our mission may be startling. And yet, through Christian Science, accepting the control of higher authority becomes natural as we recognize that the source of man's true identity is God, infinite Spirit. It is heartening to learn in Science that because man is the expression of Spirit and because one supreme Mind is governing and guiding every identity in God's universe, man does not have a limited, personal mind that must make choices affecting his destiny. Thus we can look with confidence to God, divine intelligence, to supply the ideas that will unfold a right mission for each of us.

In olden days prophets guided by God took oil and anointed men He had selected for noble work. The Bible tells us that Samuel was sent to Bethlehem, where Jesse lived with his sons. When David stood before him, Samuel was impelled to anoint him. "And the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward." ^{I Sam. 16:13;} It is interesting to note that David, whose thought must have been uplifted after such an experience, recognized that the blessing bestowed on him did not come from the symbolic act of being anointed with oil by a mortal prophet. He made this clear when in his psalm he said to God, "Thou anointest my head with oil." ^{Ps. 23:5;}

This divine anointing, emanating directly from the one infinite source, has traversed the ages and is active today. To be one of God's anointed doesn't require another human being, the administering of oil, or a family heritage, for the process of true anointing takes place in thought. It is available to any individual who humbly desires to serve God in His way and daily tries to comprehend more of His allness, goodness, and power.

By striving to keep out of consciousness the material picture of a mortal living in fast-moving times, subject to indecision, turmoil, and anxiety about his career, and by accepting instead man's true birthright as the spiritual likeness of God, we are figuratively kneeling in the presence of the Christ, Truth. We are receptive of the oil of inspiration that pours forth from divine Love. When we realize that every child of God is perfectly governed by Him, our activity comes directly under Love's charge.

Having learned that God is responsible for our mission, we need not be fearful, anxious, searching, overeager. Rather we can remain calmly confident of our gloriously true heritage as God's children. The understanding of man's spiritual heritage places us under the control of God's law of beneficence. This divine law embraces mankind and sends forth impartially to each individual the wisdom and intuition necessary for guidance.

Turning expectantly to God requires relinquishment of human outlining, self-seeking ambition, personal desires, false pride, willpower. Sometimes animal magnetism, or evil, would encourage us to cling to our cherished hopes rather than let God unfold our mission according to His plan. This stubbornness of mortal mind must be fought and conquered. Yielding is made easier when we realize that even the great Exemplar, Christ Jesus, struggled in the Garden of Gethsemane as he uttered those words which countless persons seeking divine direction have since repeated: "Not my will, but thine, be done." ^{Luke 22:42;}

Seeking God's will includes reaching out to Him in heartfelt prayer and placing our hand in His, having complete confidence that infinite Love is impelling us to walk along a divine pathway illumined with Christly light. A hymn assures us,

Mrs. Eddy points out, "Whoever demonstrates the highest humanity,—long-suffering, self-surrender, and spiritual endeavor to bless others,—ought to be aided, not hindered, in his holy mission." ^{Christian Science versus Pantheism, p. 9;} Think of the freedom to be experienced by devoting ourselves to a holy mission such as this! It does not require financial backing to embark on the spiritual task of blessing all those upon whom our thought rests. Competition from others can never interfere with the goal of surrendering; self-love, self-will, self-justification.

As a result of purifying our motives, accepting our holy mission to express God's goodness, our human experience will unfold in order and harmony. We will know we're on the right track. We will be able to rejoice and say, in the words of Mrs. Eddy: "I see the way now. The guardians of His presence go before me. I enter the path. It may be smooth, or it may be rugged; but it is always Straight and narrow; and if it be uphill all the way, the ascent is easy and the summit can be gained." ^{Mis., p. 347.}