Has God a divine plan for every individual? Undoubtedly He has. Christian Science reveals that in the infinite Mind, or God, there is an amplitude of intelligence which devises and appoints a purpose for every one of God's children.

In the absolute sense of being, there is a plan for all, a design for living a life that is the perfect expression of God's own qualities and ideas. This is God's universal plan for every individual. But this plan may find as many different expressions in human experience as there are individuals. Each of us must discover what particular manifestation of the divine plan he is to realize and demonstrate.

Within this framework all human planning must be carried out. There is nothing wrong about human planning. In fact, it is essential as long as it aims at discovering and fulfilling one's part in the divine plan. Only if one is led into paths that diverge from the divine design, can he wander in the wilderness of human fears and failures.

How are we to know the divine plan? By listening for it. It is constantly being revealed in terms that we can understand. In the words of Isaiah, "Thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left."  ^{Isa. 30:21;}

We may be sure that according to the action of divine law God's plan outlines the highest good for each idea. And since good is infinite, no idea is subject to any limitation in its ability to fulfill God's will for it. Our work as Christian Scientists is to adhere to the divine pattern.

As God's spiritual plan develops in our consciousness, it takes form in our human experience in sound beginnings; constant progression in the understanding of divine Truth; fulfillment of every genuine human need; protection against any untoward circumstance; generous service to our fellowmen; and ultimate realization of our perfection in God's image and likeness. To understand the divine plan of infinite good and to bring our thinking and living into accord with it is to put it into practice in every situation that may arise.

God's plan for man does not include any inherited handicaps, exclusion from unfoldment, incompleteness, unwholesome environment, temptation to believe in evil, suggestion of sickness or disease, or any termination of life through death.

We all make human plans. But we must realize that they are tentative and subject to change if they are found to deviate from the divine plan. If we do not realize this, we are liable to exclude ourselves from what is best, for God's plan is invariably superior to any merely human outlining. Stubborn will would in some cases deprive us of what best promotes our progress, but it cannot do so if we maintain a willingness to conform always to what is seen to be the divine direction, to that which manifests the highest good.

This willingness to turn wholeheartedly to God for guidance opens the way to positions which are often more satisfying than anything we could humanly have devised or even imagined. Every one of us can rest assured that, in the words of a well-loved hymn,

Many of us can recall instances where complete willingness to submit to the guidance of God's will has resulted in unanticipated blessings. One such instance which I recall was as follows. I had gone to a big city to accept a position that had been offered me, only to find that the entire project had been canceled. I was low in funds and without definite prospects, but I took a room in a small hotel and devoted myself almost entirely to the study of Christian Science.

One day I went to another hotel to keep an appointment; and as I waited in the lobby, a bellboy came by, paging me by name. I thought there must be some mistake; but upon going to the telephone, I heard the voice of a person I had not seen or heard from for a number of years. He said he had been trying to find me and had decided to call this hotel, where he thought I might be staying. He told me of a position that was open and for which I had special qualifications. I took the position, and it led on to better things.

This, to my way of thinking, was no mere coincidence. I have no doubt that it was my sincere effort to find and act upon God's plan that led to this totally unexpected solution of my problem. And I have had three similar experiences since then.

We must not underestimate the power of God's plan for each of us. Since God is omnipotent, His plan is unassailable. The prophet Isaiah expressed this forcibly when he wrote: "The Lord of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand.... For the Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?"  ^{Isa. 14:24, 27;}

Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, had a clear vision of God as the divine Mind, which outlines or plans for each identity without being limited in any way. One of the definitions of Mind that she gives in the Glossary of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures is, "Deity, which outlines but is not outlined." ^{Science and Health, p. 591;}

The first of those remarkable Bible Lessons which are included in Mrs. Eddy's Miscellaneous Writings is based on this verse about the Christ: "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."  ^{John 1:12, 13;} Commenting on this passage, Mrs. Eddy writes, "The apostle indicates no personal plan of a personal Jehovah, partial and finite; but the possibility of all finding their place in God's great love, the eternal heritage of the Elohim, His sons and daughters."  ^{Mis., p.182;}

Christ Jesus recognized his place in the Father's plan, and he said, "I must work the works of him that sent me."  ^{John 9:4;} Working according to God's plan, we are not subject to chance or whim but are always guided by Principle to take the course divinely established for us. Since the divine Mind is always active, always operative, there can be no lapse in God's plan. It is a perpetual plan. It holds us constantly within its established channels for good. It is a plan of Life, invigorating and vitalizing; a plan of Truth, unerring and secure; a plan of Love, tenderly guarding and guiding.

We must listen to hear this plan. Our ear must be attuned always to the divine harmonies which hover above and around and within us. Distractions which present themselves through the physical senses must be rejected, for, as Mrs. Eddy writes, "Spirit, God, is heard when the senses are silent."  ^{Science and Health, p. 89.}

As we silence the senses, we can be confident that we shall hear and recognize the divine plan and that it will be a plan earning with it infinite blessings and a peace beyond human calculation.