Article April 21, 1997 Issue

Ability comes from God

Cathryn Obey Anderson

When we look at a painting—what is it that we appreciate about the work of art? Or how about a fine piece of hand embroidery or pottery? The qualities of beauty, composition, proportion, exactness, are some of the things we enjoy. What is really necessary to carry out such work is the expression of spiritual qualities—patience, intelligence, inspiration, love, precision, order, and persistence. Our ability to perform these works and all good work comes from God. "I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me," says the Bible (Ps. 57:2).

By understanding that God, the Most High, is the source of our ability to do good, we overcome limitations. Labels that are falsely attached to us because of the assumption, or even the conviction, that we are fallible can also disappear, and we can experience real freedom.

I feel a deep love for God when I remember an example of this in my own life. In elementary school I needed extra help with reading. Even during the summer months my sister would regularly and patiently work with me. After I learned of Christian Science and began to study it, I realized several limitations had dissolved from my life—they just fell away. Difficulty with reading was one of them.

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