You Are Important!

Have you given thought to the many unnamed people in the Bible who have set in motion a great event or a healing? For instance, there was the little slave girl whose mistress was the wife of the mighty Syrian commander Naaman. She said to her mistress, "Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy." ^{ll Kings 5:3 ;} Her spiritual receptivity was the first step in the complete healing of Naaman.

What was the name of Pharaoh's chief butler who told his king about the man in prison who had interpreted his dream? That was an important step in bringing Joseph to the position where he could save Egypt from famine.

Or what was the name of the lad who had the loaves and fishes Jesus used to feed the multitudes? The Bible keeps record of these people because each contributed in some way to the demonstration of God's power and goodness. They were important people.

You, too, are important. The likelihood is your name will never be written in the pages of history; but by your desire to share a Christlike thought or word at the right time, you may change the course of someone's life. In your helping to supply another's need, it does not matter if your formal education is limited or if you have an array of impressive degrees after your name. What matters is who you really are, what man really is, and your knowing it. Man is a complete spiritual idea, made in the likeness of God. Divine Mind doesn't create perfect ideas with imperfect intelligence or worth. One spiritual idea has no more substance than another. Each is complete, whole, limitless.

Spiritual man reflects all the qualities of his Maker—love, joy, understanding, peace, goodness. As we daily express these spiritual qualities in our words and deeds, they help and inspire mankind. This expression is our basic purpose. And we never know at what moment our thoughts may be uplifting another; we may be totally unaware of such a moment.

A few years ago we'd been talking with a visitor at our home, and the conversation was interrupted by one of our grandchildren. She ran into the room crying because she had skinned her knee. There was a minimum of fuss and confusion. We just cleaned the wound and reminded her of a simple truth she had learned in the Christian Science Sunday School. It was a reminder that God is All-in-all, and when we know that, there is no room for error of any kind. The youngster soon returned happily to her play. Our visitor witnessed the incident without comment, and we resumed our conversation.

Almost a year later I visited this friend and noticed the blackboard on which the family wrote messages to each other. Written on the wooden frame was a neatly lettered sentence—the same truth that had helped our granddaughter. My friend saw me looking at the board. "Remember when you made that statement?" he smiled. "When I returned home, I wrote it on the frame, and it's been there ever since." He paused, then added, "That's something worth knowing." And apparently the family had found this so.

This small incident illustrates how others can be benefited by the truth we voice. Even a bystander may capture a healing message and hold it dear. In Science and Health Mrs. Eddy states, "We are all sculptors, working at various forms, moulding and chiseling thought." Further along on the same page she says, "We must form perfect models in thought and look at them continually, or we shall never carve them out in grand and noble lives." ^{Science and Health, p. 248 ;} As we're faithful along these lines, we not only shape our own perfect model, but we have a hand in helping others fashion theirs.

What was the name of that certain Samaritan in Christ Jesus' parable? He was unnamed, but that isn't important. The parable illustrates how we each can care for our brother's needs by pouring out love, compassion, gentleness. There are those around us who have a great need for that uplifting thought, for that "peace of God, which passeth all understanding." ^{Phil. 4:7 ;} Be prepared to share your spiritual storehouse of understanding. The truth you voice can be the spark that motivates another's thought to a higher spiritual level.

When God called Moses to be His spokesman, Moses was amazed that he was selected. He pointed out that he was a poor speaker. God told him not to be concerned, because He would supply the words. Are you like Moses? Do you feel inadequate to give someone a spiritual lift? Don't underestimate your God-given gift of eloquence. You can give that cup of cold water to the spiritually thirsty.

You are important! And the more you steadfastly pray, the more your spiritual selfhood in all its healing purity and goodness becomes obvious to others. To pray without ceasing does not necessarily mean repeating words, audible or inaudible. Just as important are our actions—the prayers through which a stranger can see the Christ in us. Letting our light shine in thought and deed, we will assist the stranger on the path to spiritual well-being. When we reflect God, we naturally give out love, and we never know just how it is tailored to fit another's need.

We have a direct order from Jesus: "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." ^{Mark 16:15 .} As we obey the spirit of Jesus' admonition, we will demonstrate daily that we truly are important.