Article January 1, 1979 Issue

The real motive powers

CAROL CHAPIN LINDSEY

What moves us to action? Is it greed, fear, nervousness, self-love? Or is it charity, desire to help, intelligence, unselfed love?

If we go through a day animated by negative fears, the results are apt to be tension, nerves, poor bodily functioning, and a less-than-desirable disposition. Mrs. Eddy's succinct statement "Christian Science reveals Truth and Love as the motive-powers of man"^{Science and Health, p. 490;} gives us a penetrating standard by which to measure our impulsions to act.

Christ Jesus, speaking of his relation to God, said, "I can of mine own self do nothing."^{John 5:30.} Suppose we start the day with conscious trust in God, good—in Truth and Love—as the cause of all being and action. (And we can start every day this way!) The results on those days are apt to be calm assurance, normal bodily functioning, and happy dispositional traits. We won't be standing in our own way but will be free to be active workers for good.