Article March 29, 1999 Issue

Whose desires come first?

By Elizabeth Ward Beall

IF YOU BELIEVE in God, you probably pray. And when you pray you expect your desires to be heard.

But what if your prayer seems to go unanswered? Perhaps you think that God doesn't understand the need.

Rather than question God's understanding, we might ask ourselves if our desire is in line with His. Jesus gave an illustration of how to do this when he prayed: "Not my will, but thine, be done" (Luke 22:42). This includes being watchful to recognize God's will in all things—even in what seems a small thing.

A friend of mine named Marilyn found this out in an inspiring way. After a long day at work and an hour of swimming, she couldn't wait to get home to dinner. It sounds funny, but her thoughts went like this: "Now just get home. Then you can have that chicken pot pie." As she drove, her sole focus of desire was on that chicken pot pie.

Finally at home, she rushed to the kitchen, put the pie in to bake, set the timer, and paced. Only ten more minutes. Just then the telephone rang.

It was someone calling Marilyn with questions regarding Christian Science. Marilyn eyed the oven timer and replied, "OK. I'll give this some thought and call you back later."

The caller was insistent. So much so, that Marilyn suddenly realized this call was for God's work to be made manifest. She began sharing her understanding of God that she had learned from reading Science and Health the textbook of Christian Science. She explained that God is Spirit, divine substance, and that, as the book points out, "there is no life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter" (p. 468).

Marilyn further assured the caller that she could experience joy immediately. They both hung up feeling calm.

After this conversation, Marilyn did get to eat her pot pie. But instead of looking at it as a feast, she approached the time with an attitude of humility, saying aloud, "Forgive me, Father, for momentarily refusing help to one of Your children. 'Not my will, but thine, be done.' "

We don't have to fear losing anything by giving God's will top priority.

We don't have to fear losing anything—big or small—by giving God's will top priority. Science and Health states, "Desire is prayer; and no loss can occur from trusting God with our desires, that they may be moulded and exalted before they take form in words and in deeds" (p. 1).

God's will is always good, and He constantly provides for our every need. We realize this provision by doing His will. It's as Jesus said, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matt. 6:33).

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