Article May 21, 1977 Issue

Spiritually Based Endeavor

SHIRLEY SELBY

True activity has its source and substance in God. When we understand this—that activity reflects the ever-operative divine Mind and is embodied and expressed by the real man, who images forth God's perfection—we are able to raise our standards of thought and action to orderliness and harmony. This brings effective results and satisfying accomplishments to daily endeavor.

In the light of Christian Science, or the Science of Christ, the saying "The busy person is the happy person" can be true only if his motives and goals, rather than being matter-based and mundane, are spiritually oriented and inspired. To the extent that one's aims and actions are based on divine Principle, Love, and unfold through an understanding of the allness and oneness of Mind, will they bless oneself, as well as others. Mrs. Eddy writes, "The predisposing and exciting cause of all defeat and victory under the sun, rests on this scientific basis: that action, in obedience to God, spiritualizes man's motives and methods, and crowns them with success; while disobedience to this divine Principle materializes human modes and consciousness, and defeats them." Miscellaneous Writings, pp.267-268;

Contemplating this, we can reexamine our day-to-day habits and routines. More importantly, we will appraise our goals more intelligently to see if the energies we are expending are worthwhile. Devotion to an ideal and hard work are admirable. How important it is to make sure our methods, too, are right, constructive, and beneficial to all concerned. Mrs. Eddy's definition of "zeal" in Science and Health is clarifying; the first part reads, "The reflected animation of Life, Truth, and Love." The second half of the definition describes the counterfeit as "blind enthusiasm; mortal will." Science and Health, p.599; The zealous person actively expressing modes of mortal thought is apt to disrupt and antagonize and may gain only meager satisfaction for all his determined hard work.

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