Article July 16, 2007 Issue

The permanence of a spiritual idea

BY SUSAN BOOTH MACK

Lately, I've been inspired by the idea that what I see with my eyes is not always reliable. The objects surrounding us seem so very solid and permanent, fixed in a material form. But many would argue that an object's substance extends beyond its visible shape, color, and outline. Take, for instance, the tender green buds on the trees in spring. While they may appear to be just tiny green leaves, they also represent tender resolve, patience, and give a glimpse of God as unfolding Life.

Similarly, examples of good companionship, sufficient income, and satisfying work take shape in our lives because there are reliable spiritual facts, or ideas, behind each expression. The more we look to God to understand the spiritual idea behind something, the more peace and assurance we feel that God's presence is permanent and certain. No matter what twists and turns our lives take, spiritual ideas remain untouched and unchanged. They insistently shine into our daily lives in useful ways. Mary Baker Eddy put it this way: "God gives you His spiritual ideas, and in turn, they give you daily supplies" (Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, p. 307).

Sometimes material objects are lost, taken away, or even destroyed, as is the case when homes and possessions are wiped away by tornadoes and floods. Then we may long for more assurance of what we can hold on to as permanent. Science and Health points out the advantage of perceiving the spiritual nature that these things represent, in order to find true security: "Metaphysics resolves things into thoughts, and exchanges the objects of sense for the ideas of Soul. These ideas are perfectly real and tangible to spiritual consciousness, and they have this advantage over the objects and thoughts of material sense,—they are good and eternal" (p. 269).

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