Article August 31, 1992 Issue

Freedom from the limitations of material measurements

If we are feeling as though our lives are governed—and restricted—by numbers, we can turn to God, infinite Spirit, and discover how free we actually are.

Clifford Kapps Eriksen

Sometimes it seems as if society is obsessed with a kind of numerology. Newscasts regularly report the latest unemployment figures, pollen counts, stock prices, falling (or rising) temperatures, athletic statistics, and so on. Daily we find ourselves barraged with all kinds of readings from a seemingly endless assortment of material yardsticks designed to measure the quality of human existence and achievement. Little wonder that many people are convinced that their lives are governed by numbers!

Human measurements certainly have an appropriate place and function. The trouble, however, lies with basing one's assessment of life on matter, with all its imperfections and limitations. A viewpoint imbued with spiritual understanding, on the other hand, helps us to find real freedom from the limitations that accompany material-mindedness. Writing to the early Christians in Ephesus, Paul, or one of his students, alluded to the importance of a spiritual outlook. And his earnest prayer for them centuries ago is just as meaningful for us today: "... that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God." Here is a standard for measuring our lives that looks to Spirit, God—not matter.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Editorial
Touching
August 31, 1992
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit