Expecting God's guidance and support
A young woman was involved in a lease that was a potential legal problem, and was concerned whether her position would be favorably resolved or result in a lawsuit. She very much wanted to handle the situation through prayer in Christian Science so that all parties would benefit and be blessed. She called a Christian Science practitioner, and in the course of their conversation she read to the practitioner a copy of the letter her lawyer had sent on her behalf. It began: "Dear Sir: Thanking you for your expected cooperation..."
Here was the very answer to the young woman's question as to how to pray most effectively! She could immediately begin her prayer by thanking God for His expected help. She could begin her prayer with this joyous affirmation because she wholeheartedly trusted and expected God to impart only infinite goodness to His creation. The solution that would come by her turning to God could only hold the greatest good for everyone.
Christian Science assures us that man and the universe are spiritual, created by God, and are eternally governed by Him. In this universe everything is held safe and secure. Everything is forever in His intelligent care. As the young woman spiritually discerned this reality, she could confidently expect the law of God, the law of omnipotent good, to be evidenced in total blessing for all. She also realized that the solution to this case did not rest with people and their opinions, but with God. Sincerely trusting His wisdom, she could say with the Psalmist, "Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved." Ps. 62:1, 2 .
It was only a matter of days before the case was successfully settled. Not only was there no lawsuit, but everyone was extremely pleased with the outcome.
What a wonderful lesson! When we joyfully expect God's guidance and support in our daily affairs, we feel ourselves being lifted out of belief in a material realm where a problem seems to exist and into the divine presence where healing takes place. We are raised to that altitude of thought where we can confidently acknowledge God's absolute control of His spiritual universe. As Mrs. Eddy states in Science and Health, "The real jurisdiction of the world is in Mind, controlling every effect and recognizing all causation as vested in divine Mind." Science and Health, p. 379 .
Man, in reality, is the image of God, the divine idea at one with and inseparable from his creator. When we declare our oneness with God, we are also declaring our oneness with the divine Mind that is governing and controlling reality. Knowing that this Mind is the only Mind in operation, we are not falsely influenced by either human evidence or human will and opinions.
Christ Jesus, our great Way-shower, knew that he did not work independently. He said, "The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise." John 5:19 . Throughout his ministry Jesus turned away from the human evidence to what his Father was showing him. When he fed more than five thousand people with only five loaves and two fishes, instead of being overwhelmed by the numbers, he turned to God, expecting His help. "Looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude," the book of Matthew tells us. "And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full." Matt. 14:19, 20 .
Looking heavenward—into spiritual reality—lifts us heavenward. It lifts us out of a material concept of the universe and into a more spiritual one. Then the might and wisdom of God prevail rather than human will.
Human opinions and human will too often include criticism, confrontation, and conflict. In such an atmosphere, working relationships in the home or office deteriorate, a desire to cooperate breaks down, and little is accomplished. However, when we turn away from personal sense and seek to obey God's law, human will yields to divine wisdom. Yielding brings the power of God to bear on the problem, and healing occurs. Mrs. Eddy explains it thus: "Mortals have only to submit to the law of God, come into sympathy with it, and to let His will be done. This unbroken motion of the law of divine Love gives, to the weary and heavy-laden, rest." Miscellaneous Writings, p. 208 .
Cooperation of this sort—coming into sympathy with God's law—inevitably results in greater cooperation among individuals. It cannot help doing so. Cooperation with divine law means blending our thoughts with God, conforming to the law of Love. It means seeing Love's creation, man and the universe, as entirely spiritual. God does not recognize a material universe. He does not recognize ambitious mortals struggling for place and power. He does not recognize one individual benefiting at the expense of another, nor does He recognize a willful, uncooperative mortal. None of these can possibly exist in divine Mind. God knows only a spiritual universe and man as immortal—man already including a place and purpose in the universe, man bearing witness to infinite unfoldment.
In proportion as we know ourselves and others as this man, we demonstrate the Christ, the power of God active in human affairs. We are thereby better able to work with others in a calm and poised manner. We promote an atmosphere where all comments and suggestions are listened to with courtesy and consideration. In this atmosphere of mutual respect and cooperation, established by our conscious oneness with God, solutions emerge, human relationships are enriched, and all are permanently blessed. Our prayers are answered, as the young woman mentioned earlier so joyously proved. Mrs. Eddy eloquently states: "'As in water face answereth to face,' and in love continents clasp hands, so the oneness of God includes also His presence with those whose hearts unite in the purposes of goodness. Of this we may be sure: that thoughts winged with peace and love breathe a silent benediction over all the earth, cooperate with the divine power, and brood unconsciously o'er the work of His hand." Ibid., p. 152 .
