Article November 10, 1980 Issue

Progress through striving

FRANK S. MOORMAN

Sometimes a person may struggle many years for health without obtaining it by material means, and then, on taking up Christian Science, be healed quickly. He feels an indescribable uplift, having glimpsed that God is All and man is His unblemished image. Might not this point to a future without struggle, without trying experiences? Our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, made a statement in her first address in The Mother Church that answers this question: "Christianity is not superfluous. Its redemptive power is seen in sore trials, self-denials, and crucifixions of the flesh."^{Miscellaneous Writings, p. 107;}

But didn't Christ Jesus say that if we continued in his word and knew the truth we would be free? Yes, but a key point is that we must continue in his word. It is not in the divine plan that we should reach a certain plateau in our understanding and then permanently remain at that level. What prevents one from continuing to progress? Complacency, apathy, an urge to accumulate worldly riches, family pleasures, a settling down into what we believe is comfortable matter. It is God's law that we progress, and often chastening is required by that law. Conceding this, the Apostle Paul said, "I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake."^{II Cor. 12:10;} We too can rejoice in God's chastening, even as Paul did in his "infirmities" and "distresses," because it gives us the opportunity to prove how true we are to the Christ-idea.

Instant healings and solutions are always sought after and treasured. They are like a sudden breath of fresh air, and we are grateful for them. Slow healings can bring growth in one's character, for they require continued exercise of humility and patience and a quiet faith in God's presence.

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