Editorial October 13, 1980 Issue

Growth that is spiritual development

BEULAH M. ROEGGE

Spiritual development is essential for proper growth. One meaning of the word "develop" is "to free from that which infolds or envelops." Spiritual development involves getting rid of whatever hides and would stop the unfoldment of innate goodness.

Growth that is a reflection of spiritual development is stable and sure; expansive and inclusive. It may be expressed in one's life as more confidence, poise, and greater ability; in society in a better use of the full potential of workers, resulting in greater productivity. Growth also may be reconstructive, manifest in our institutions as a renewal of their genuine helpfulness and in the physical body as healing.

Since any lasting and beneficent growth is dependent on spiritual development, our major concern is with what will rid us of anything that falsely infolds or envelops. As surely as spiritual unfoldment destroys material assumptions that man is inextricably bound by heredity and environment, so does the destruction of simply restrictive customs and fears allow for the development of good. And to untwine sinful habits by yielding to the Christ frees a life to bud and blossom. Cramped and warped thinking straightens out when released from such erroneous standpoints as the concept that life is in matter.

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