Article August 10, 1998 Issue

You are useful now

God needs you.

By Sharon Slaton Howell

THERE IS LIVING. And there is LIVING. One may feel that there is no longer a purpose in life, and that better skills, retraining, or further schooling is needed to again make a contribution to society. But the real need is often for a radical change in perspective. One thing that makes existence worthwhile and vibrant is being useful to our fellow beings, doing all the good we can every day.

Do you know that you actually exist to bear witness to God, your Maker, to reflect Him in everything you do—that you already are His loved and needed expression? Your purpose is spiritual; therefore it is always intact. This fact puts greater usefulness and productivity within immediate reach. As we accept the momentous truth about ourselves that God needs us to express His nature and being, and in fact that's why He created us, we see that the opportunity to lead a fuller and richer life can't really be absent. And this realization causes things to move.

One can, of course, go out and simply try to stir up more activity. But as many have found, there is a more effective path to useful living. Those who are familiar with the Bible and the writings of Mary Baker Eddy, the woman who discovered and founded Christian Science, have read of ways to overcome inactivity and uselessness. The words of Jesus, "The kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:21), show exactly where to find one's God given purpose. This kingdom, this absolute reign of God, is not dependent on people, places, or events. It is here now, within the true consciousness of each of us, which is a reflection of God Himself, the one perfect, divine Mind.

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