Article February 1, 2010 Issue

GOOD PRESENT HERE AND NOW

The writer discusses how learning to see God's goodness brought physical and financial wellness.

BY MARK STRICKLAND

The very first chapter in the Bible concludes with the most wonderful declaration: "And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good" (Gen. 1:31). Mary Baker Eddy expanded on this when she wrote the following passage in Science and Health: "God pronounced good all that He created, and the Scriptures declare that He created all" (p. 526). These simple statements present a very powerful and profound universal truth. God is infinite good, and because He also created all there is, it follows that all in Life must be good. This good is present right now, today. The future can seem unknowable or even threatening, and it's sometimes tempting to fear the unknown. But since God is Life, the future isn't "out there" or yet to unfold, and we should expect our lives to be filled with wonderful and incredible blessings.

The first chapter in Genesis further states that not only is God all good, but His image and likeness—each one of us—is completely and thoroughly good, reflecting all the treasured qualities of God's love. Since infinite goodness is the outgrowth of an ever-present Father-Mother God, it is normal and right for us to expect and experience goodness. In fact, as the very likeness of the Father, we cannot help but effortlessly and naturally recognize and express His goodness.

Many years ago, I learned the importance of attaining and maintaining a level of thought that expects only good. This expectancy is not just an optimistic "Pollyanna" view of material life or a sanguine hope for a rosy future, but an outcome of the sweet ever-presence of God's goodness. It is a spiritual fact, ever true and active in the universe.