Article October 31, 1994 Issue

Highest and best use of our lives

Terri Higgins Murdock

Several years ago I was passed over for a promotion. I thought I was much better qualified than the candidate selected. At first, I appreciated hearing that others were surprised that I didn't get the job, and I accepted their assurances that I got a bad deal. It didn't take long, however, to realize that such thinking was feeding many unlovely traits—pride, self-will, resentment, anger, frustration.

It took some time to quiet this army of self-righteous thoughts, but when I did, I was able to pray. A line from the Lord's Prayer came to thought: "Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven" (Matt. 6:10). I felt this was a good place to begin, allowing God's will to control my thinking. Interpreting the spiritual meaning of this line, Mary Baker Eddy writes in Science and Health, "Enable us to know,—as in heaven, so on earth,—God is omnipotent, supreme" (p. 17). I saw that, since my loving Father was in supreme control of my life, I could never be separated from Him or from His will for me.

As I prayed, the words "highest and best use" came to mind. I recognized the phrase as one used in real estate to describe how the value of property is determined. Two lots of ground, for example, may appear identical; but if one is in a locale with no amenities and the other in town on a busy intersection, they are considered to have different values. Price is determined by the most prosperous use that could be made of the property. I realized that the worth our loving, wise Father sees in His children is changeless, the highest and best at every moment. I began to realize that there is no competition in God's creation.

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
Poem
A true friend
October 31, 1994
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit