Article January 6, 1997 Issue

Do you know the "right" people?

Jan Johnston

Do you ever think that the good in your life depends upon "who you know"? For instance, that knowing the right person might get you that certain job or role or opportunity? This belief is especially prevalent in politics. It often seems that employment depends upon knowing someone in whichever political party is in office at any given time.

Recently, someone walked into the Christian Science Reading Room in our city and expressed just that sentiment. He was frustrated by efforts to obtain employment in the government offices of our state; he felt hampered because no one was speaking on his behalf or "sponsoring" him, as it is often called.

I was reminded of an illustration from the Bible. A man, waiting at the pool of Bethesda for an angel to stir the water, believed that he must have another person help him into the pool in order to be healed (see John 5:2–9). When Jesus said to this man, "Wilt thou be made whole?" he replied, "Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me." Yet this response brought no reaction from the Master. Instead Jesus commanded the man, "Rise, take up thy bed, and walk." And the man did so.

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