What makes us important?
So often we may believe that unless we know the "right" people we won't be able to advance. But that does not need to be the case.
[Original in German]
ONE day my boss came to me with a letter and, showing me the signature, asked, "Who is this man? Should I know him—is he important?" Does this sound familiar? Do we sometimes think along similar lines ourselves?
Isn't it amazing that so often the prestige of someone's position seems more significant than the quality of his work or the substance of what he says!
Do we recognize in this attitude the influence of a personal sense of power? And consider how limiting an approach this is. After all, it would eliminate anyone who is not part of the hierarchy or who does not know the "right" people.
The Bible provides a different perspective; its accounts show that knowing and understanding God remove such limitations. David, for example, had no lobby or special image in society. The prophet Samuel found him with God's help and anointed him according to God's bidding. The spiritual quality of his calling was also reflected in the spiritual strength with which he conquered the outwardly imposing human power of Goliath without the usual means such as armor, sword, or spear. See I Sam. 17:32-50 . David's consciousness of God's omnipotence, omnipresence, and justice was his protection. Even when his reputation was better than the king's and envy and intrigues threatened him, he was protected by God's love and provision. He was also conscious of the need to respect divine law. As a result, he let the opportunity to kill his sworn enemy pass and kept his friends from killing King Saul, for Saul was king by God's hand. David declared, "The Lord forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the Lord's anointed." I Sam. 26:11.
Only those who belonged to an upper-class family could become officers.
Even though David committed grievous sins, his kingship is remembered because he was willing to repent and obey God's direction. This is where our strength lies, too. The conscious striving to recognize God's will and humbly obey it opens up opportunities to each one of us, whether a shepherd boy with a sling or a mighty king. Through prayer we begin to see the infinite possibilities of divine Love.
For instance, a Christian Scientist in military service was put into a battalion of which it was said that only those who were of the nobility or who belonged to an upper-class family could become officers. In spite of excellent achievements on three different tests (he was always among the top three), he was not recommended for officers' training. Ten others who came from appropriate families were recommended. This filled him with frustration and anger until he began to apply what he had learned in Christian Science. A Christian Science practitioner helped him to understand that we are all of divine nobility because in truth we are the sons and daughters of God.
As the man turned more unreservedly to God's will, he was freed of anger and frustration and could once again perform his duty joyfully. A few days later on the parade ground he met his company commander from the training battalion, who inquired how he was doing, and he told him his story. As a result of this conversation he was nominated retroactively for the necessary training and, already a sergeant, he then became the first in his recruitment class to become a platoon leader. His willingness to place everything in God's hand and accept His love removed the frustration and anger and opened the way.
In the consciousness that we live in divine Love, any notion of personal power, cliquism, or the spoils system has no room, for in divine Love there is no lack of strength or power and therefore no necessity for allowing oneself to be impressed by the methods of personal sense. It is our task to keep our consciousness constantly so uplifted that nothing can shock us or cause us to accept limitation.
We begin to do this by claiming God's presence, His all-power and omniscience, and by recognizing that we are all His spiritual ideas, His children. As such we can never be separated from Him and the good He is giving us. God is Father and Mother of all, and divine Love is unlimited. As a result, there is abundant divine provision for all. We need not have any fear of a power besides God but can feel secure in the power of God's love. And out of this divine strength we can express independence, freedom, and fearlessness.
God's love, in which we are always embraced and secure, helps us to see, recognize, and appreciate what is right. This keeps us from being overinfluenced by someone's personal status. It also protects us from becoming wrapped up in an effort to achieve such status for ourselves. Fear of the claims of the carnal mind, which would argue that we must give in to such pressures in order to advance professionally or personally, must also be addressed through prayer. In the book of Isaiah, God is cited as saying, "Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine." Isa. 43:1.
This powerful assurance releases us from the belief that we can become, or already are, the victim of intrigue, political collusion, or of cliquism. God calls, He appoints, He protects. Wisdom, intelligence, knowledge, harmony, and bliss have their source in Him.
In the presence of Pilate, who represented the world power of that age, Jesus answered calmly and with conviction.
The book of Isaiah also says, "Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee." Isa. 43:4.
Combating the egotism and personal sense of identity that are sources of the desire for prestige begins with our own selves. It is frequently uncomfortable to take a stand for a just cause, especially if this course of action is not the "popular" one. Courage and sometimes willingness to sacrifice are required.
Consider Christ Jesus, born in a stable, brought up as a carpenter's son. In the presence of Pilate, who represented the Roman Empire, the world power of that day and age, he answered calmly and with conviction. When Pilate asked if he was the king of the Jews, the Master replied, "My kingdom is not of this world." John 18:36. The Roman Empire has fallen, but God's kingdom is ever present, and the Christ-spirit heals today just as at that time.
Even in his difficult hour in the garden of Gethsemane, the Master was obedient to the Lord's Prayer, which he had given the disciples. "Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven," Matt. 6:10. held true. In Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, interprets that statement as meaning "Enable us to know,—as in heaven, so on earth,—God is omnipotent, supreme." Science and Health, p. 17.
Jesus was able to forgive the agents of worldly power (the occupying Roman forces and the priesthood in his country) who had him crucified. This Christly love and forgiveness made the resurrection possible; it triumphed over all human concepts of power and hierarchy.
When we humbly pray and strive for this capability, God will open the way for us. In truth, nothing can prevent us from receiving the good that God is bestowing on His creation, and nothing can darken our recognition of our spiritual identity as sons and daughters of God. As we claim these spiritual facts, the human limitations of hierarchy will fall away. We will understand that our highest goal is to express our sonship with God through our emulation of Christ Jesus.
When the Bible speaks of following Jesus, it is proclaiming a discipleship which will liberate mankind from all man-made dogmas, from every burden and oppression, from every anxiety and torture which afflicts the conscience. If they follow Jesus, men escape from the hard yoke of their own laws, and submit to the kindly yoke of Jesus Christ.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship
Reprinted with permission of
Macmillan Publishing Company.
Copyright © SCM Press, Ltd., 1957.
