The answer to this question is yes if pursuit of a career and entanglement with daily obligations so occupy our time and attention as to exclude spiritual development, or relegate it to a place of secondary importance. Often a predetermined notion concerning our correct field of endeavor may have no bearing on the place God has prepared for us. The Bible states plainly, "Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared." ^{Ex. 23:20;}

Thoughts from God are angels, and when these spiritual messages are allowed to enter our consciousness, the correct steps are put before us, and our lives become richer and more purposeful. On the other hand, a dogged effort to have things our own way denotes a false sense of man's existence, and it puts the cart before the horse.

For many years I was involved in radio and television broadcasting. Although I attempted to reach perfection in this profession, patterning myself after some of the best in the business, it was difficult at times to keep my head above water. Furthermore, it was not always possible to serve my branch Church of Christ, Scientist, as I would have liked to, because of station announcing schedules.

Then I was elected First Reader in my church. I asked my employers for a schedule that would permit me to carry on office duties while allowing time for church work. Although verbal agreement was given, things did not run smoothly for several months. At length I found myself unemployed.

It was now apparent to me that for a long time I had been placing too much emphasis on getting ahead in my job, and this had deprived me of the enrichment that serving one's church provides. I knew there could be a good balance between my church and business activities. An adjustment in my thought was necessary.

Accepting the spiritual fact I was already in God's employ, I prayed earnestly, with deep gratitude for blessings constantly received. I continued praying this way for about six months while several job ventures were explored without success. The suggestion that I was too far along in life to start something new had to be firmly refuted. Often I asked myself, "What does God want me to do?"²

I gradually realized that I had to put God first and become clear as to my spiritual identity and individuality before my vocation would straighten out. When I saw that the only real career is in reflecting God's qualities—intelligence, wisdom, purity, love, and so forth—my place in God's plan began to appear. Presently an entirely different line of work opened up. It offered far greater opportunity for usefulness to others and did not interfere with the Readership. The desire to return to my old occupation has never presented itself, proving the truth of Mrs. Eddy's statement, "In Christian Science there is never a retrograde step, never a return to positions outgrown."^{Science and Health, p. 74}

While I was working on this question of place, it occurred to me that in any field there is sometimes a tendency to try to pattern oneself after someone who has had great success in that field. In putting God first, it becomes natural for us to strive to emulate that man who lived the greatest life on this planet, Christ Jesus. Jesus never said or did anything during his great career for mere personal aggrandizement. Even at the age of twelve he understood that his destiny was to be about his "Father's business."

Great spirituality enabled him to be successful in many areas. For example, what navigator could still the tempest or walk on the water? Relative to law, the Bible cites instances where Jesus was able to answer the questions of the most learned lawyers of his time with irrefutable logic. Do we know of a caterer who can perform the feat of feeding five thousand men, besides women and children, with five loaves and two fishes and still have a surplus of twelve baskets full? Can a banker or economist be found today who can obtain the necessary tax money from a fish's mouth?

Jesus knew his real mission was to bear witness to the truth. He was imbued with the Christ. Mrs. Eddy states: "This spiritual idea, or Christ, entered into the minutiæ of the life of the personal Jesus. It made him an honest man, a good carpenter, and a good man, before it could make him the glorified." ^{Miscellaneous Writings, p. 166;}

Mrs. Eddy was not aware of her true mission in her early years. As a young woman she won recognition for her prose and verse, and for a while she taught school. But she devoted the last half of her life to establishing and promoting the Christ Science that had been revealed to her.

The opportunity to spread the healing message of Christian Science by a loving thought, word, or deed is always a present possibility for every one of us, despite the pressures of daily experience. And we can each of us know that the power of divine Truth is always available to heal at any time and in any place or circumstance.

Progress can be made when we express the Christ in whatever position we may temporarily find ourselves. As thought becomes more spiritual, capabilities increase. Mrs. Eddy writes: "A knowledge of the Science of being develops the latent abilities and possibilities of man. It extends the atmosphere of thought, giving mortals access to broader and higher realms. It raises the thinker into his native air of insight and perspicacity." ^{Science and Health, p. 128.}

The fact that spiritualization of thought leads to success in our own particular niche has been proved by many. On the other hand there are instances where professions have been abandoned in favor of full service to the Cause. Appointees to The Christian Science Board of Lectureship have included former doctors, lawyers, judges, business executives, musicians, and others. Individuals from many occupations have become Christian Science practitioners, nurses, teachers, and workers in other departments connected with the Christian Science movement.

In my own life, daily study of the Bible and Mrs. Eddy's writings, demonstration of some of the truths gleaned from them, and listening for divine direction are leading to spiritual development. The result has been a greater feeling of security and happiness and a deeper sense of purpose.