Each year when raspberry season rolls around, I look forward eagerly to harvesting this succulent fruit. Because of dense foliage, however, the berries are somewhat elusive; and the most successful way to find them, I've discovered, is to get down on my knees and look up! That's also a helpful mental outlook worth cultivating.

When assailed by problems whose solution seems to elude us, it's a good time mentally to get down on our knees and look up. That is, it's time to exercise more humility and to turn wholeheartedly to God, divine Mind, for the solution we need. Humanly outlined solutions are often willful, usually self-centered, and generally limited in nature. A willingness to turn to God for answers, however, opens the door to possibilities unseen by a narrow, human viewpoint. It reveals a radically different view—a higher, spiritual understanding of man's relationship to God. And this spiritual understanding brings healing.

Humility is really natural to us. Why? Because, as Christian Science helps us see, God is the All-in-all, the one infinite intelligence governing man and the universe. And man is God's spiritual expression bearing witness to God's glory—not a separate little mind operating in defiance of divine Mind. Humility is that God-derived quality within us which acknowledges, accepts, and obeys God's government.

Genuine humility is not synonymous with self-depreciation, however, nor is it a renunciation of heartfelt yearnings for a better life. On the contrary, it is an affirmation of man's spiritual sonship with God, and it reflects the understanding that God forever loves and wisely shepherds His offspring. Humility is spiritual strength because it purifies thought so that we may be more receptive to God's power and guidance.

Undoubtedly, the greatest exemplar of such humility was Christ Jesus. Throughout his career he preached and demonstrated humility as a means of understanding better man's relationship to God as His image. His was a life devoted, not to pomp and splendor, but to meekness and to the proof of God's nature and power. As he ministered to the needs of others, he turned the thinking of his listeners away from the worship of his personality to the worship of God. And he showed through his healing work the practicality of looking to God for the solution of our problems.

No human system of economics—however cleverly devised—could have fed thousands of people with only a few loaves and fishes, as Jesus did through a humble acknowledgment of God's ability to meet every human need. Though he healed multitudes of all kinds of diseases and sins, Jesus made it clear that it was God's power he was demonstrating since he could, of himself, do nothing. He urged hes disciples to emulate the humility of a little child in order to gain the kingdom of heaven. And what but genuine humility lay behind his washing of the disciples' feet at the last supper and his poignant statement "I am among you as he that serveth"? (Luke 22:27).

Because of the tenacity of selfish, materialistic beliefs, the ability to express such humility doesn't always come easily. We need to claim our spiritual birthright earnestly and persistently in order to overcome the temptation to seek self-glorification rather than the glorification of God. In the New Testament, James specifies the result of striving to express more Christlike humility. "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord," he writes, "and he shall lift you up" (4:10). Who is there who does not need to be lifted up to an awareness of God's allness and nearness and love? Who is there who cannot benefit from being lifted out of the egotism and materialism that attempt to deaden our spiritual sensibility? Christian humility is, indeed, the way.

Genuine humility is a catalyst for understanding and loving God better—and being blessed as a result! It empowers us with divine authority to exchange a self-centered, mortal view of ourselves for the liberating understanding of man's perfect, spiritual selfhood. If we should ever find self-love (egotism) lurking in our thought, it's time mentally to get down on our knees and look up! For it is meekly drawing closer to God that brings the guidance and solutions we seek.

Mrs. Eddy makes this arresting statement in her book Miscellaneous Writings: "Humility is the stepping-stone to a higher recognition of Deity" (p. 1). We might ask ourselves what our concept of God really is. Do we think that He is an unknown, far-off Being, unavailable to help us, and that we therefore are reduced to "survival of the fittest"? Or the meanest? Or do we cherish God as ever-present divine Love, the creator of all, guarding and guiding man and supplying each of His children with all good? If our viewpoint is the latter, then the yielding up of a selfish, egotistical sense of things is truly a welcome "stepping-stone" that helps us to solve everyday problems through a higher understanding of God.

I vividly recall an incident that illustrated these facts to me. At one point in my career I resigned my position in the midst of a difficult merger. I had seen many obstacles overcome through prayer, but I was unhappy and longed for simpler days. And so I decided that I would not accept any job if it included even one of the conditions I identified as the source of my unhappiness. At the time, I didn't realize that my unhappiness was actually the result of a limited, self-righteous outlook.

Months passed. There were some offers of employment, but the "right" job just didn't appear. With only a few weeks remaining before my resignation would necessitate our family's vacating our home (with no place to go), I took a long walk in nearby woods. And for several hours I wrestled with the self-righteousness that had been governing my thinking. "Dear Father," I prayed, "I've tried it my way; and it hasn't worked. Show me what You want me to do!" It was a wonder-filled moment when I finally let go of self-will and began to glimpse what true humility is all about.

Instead of feeling worried and fretful—mentally thrashing about looking for an elusive answer—I was completely at peace. And I saw clearly that each of God's children (myself included) has a distinct purpose to fulfill as the image and likeness of divine Mind. I was convinced that God's creation of each idea included His provision for its right activity and for appropriate opportunity to express its divine purpose. This higher view of my relationship to God brought with it a humble, peaceful willingness to deny any intelligence separate from God and to trust His provision for me.

When I returned home, there was a telephone call offering me a position that included all of the conditions I had outlined as unacceptable! But I humbly accepted it. And for about twenty-five years now I have been happily employed. Yes, there have been difficult challenges over the years, but each one has helped me to know God and my true, spiritual selfhood better.

Each year when raspberry season rolls around, I'm reminded of that experience. In fact, every time I encounter a problem that doesn't yield immediately, I return to my mental raspberry patch to get down on my knees and look up. And each time I do, I am grateful to learn a little more about Christian humility and the bountiful harvest it brings!

I PETER

Humble yourselves therefore under
the mighty hand of God, that he may
exalt you in due time: casting all
your care upon him; for he careth
for you.

I Peter 5:6, 7