Article August 11, 1997 Issue

Knowing how to act

Julia Schechtman Pabst

WHAT can you do if it suddenly seems like you're on your own or at least without the guidance you're used to? Maybe you've just made the change from living at home to attending a university or boarding school. Or maybe you've finished school and are beginning work in a new town. This time of life can seem overwhelming, especially if you're meeting people who see things very differently from you. The backdrop of other people's opinions might tempt you to question yourself, even your whole view of the world. Is there a way to know what's right and to maintain your peace and poise?

Yes, there is. It's simple— but not simplistic. A sure basis for action is contained in the Bible. The Commandments (see Ex. 20:1—17) stem from the truth that there is one God, and He is worthy of our love and obedience above all. The Sermon on the Mount (see Matt., chaps. 5—7) is about the blessings that come through turning to God. These important passages show us that it's important that any action we take be measured against questions such as: "Is this really loving?" "Is this obedient to God's laws?" "Will it help me understand God better?"

God is good. When we're loving and obedient, our thoughts and actions are aligned with God, divine Love. In her Message to The Mother Church for 1902, Mary Baker Eddy states, "When loving, we learn that 'God is Love;'..." (p. 8). Our freedom doesn't come through self-righteousness or a sense of moral superiority; it comes through obedience to God and His laws. When we obey God's laws, which require kindness, honesty, and devotion, we're nurturing a special faculty that we all have—spiritual sense. Spiritual sense reports God's ever-presence and love for us. Spiritual sense, independent of the physical senses, helps us make right decisions in unfamiliar situations, because it reports the truth.

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