Article September 13, 1999 Issue

"My opinion? I'll pass."

Stick to the facts, the spiritual facts.

By Barbara Ohlson Brown

Some time ago I had a red-letter day. For an entire day I had no opinions. What's special about that? It was the culmination of much prayer, spiritual research, and growth. For that one day I was as faithful as ever to having one Mind, the divine Mind, as my sole guide and support.

It came during the media frenzy surrounding the White House scandal in the United States. I was weary of the same news stories, with the same pull and tug on emotions. Also, listening to talk radio during my commute had gradually replaced my quiet time. I was being drawn into having some kind of opinion regarding each hourly topic, and even into formulating an opinion regarding the people that called in to share theirs. I decided that the next day I would not turn on the radio, watch any news, or read the newspaper. What I did instead was thoroughly enjoy a longer spiritual study time.

Particularly helpful to me was an insight in the account in the Bible of Samuel seeking a new king for Israel. God directed Samuel to Jesse to seek the next king among Jesse's sons. After one of the sons was refused, "the Lord said unto Samuel. Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: ... for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart" (I Sam. 16:7). Then after seven sons were refused, the youngest son, who was tending the flocks in the field, was finally called and appointed. This passage spoke to me of the importance of character. Although any one of Jesse's sons seemed a likely candidate to Samuel, the future king would need moral courage and strength coupled with gentleness, wisdom, and humility. These were the qualities that I, too, needed to cherish, instead of being drawn into the drama in the news.

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