Work

MARION ANDERSON

Frequently the necessity of earning a living, a condition which presses upon by far the greater part of humanity, is accompanied by the fear that work cannot always be obtained, no matter how conscientious one's efforts may be; and the so-called "problem of the unemployed" has taxed the ingenuity of thousands of unselfish men and women who have endeavored to find its solution. Christian Science alone affords a never failing remedy for this condition, as it does for every other problem in human experience, and the writer has never ceased to be grateful for the opportunity which came to her to prove this.

During the financial depression of 1914 I found myself out of work, and the prospect of securing another position was not an encouraging one. Although but a young student in Christian Science, I was firmly convinced that in the application of this truth lay the remedy. There was no thought of asking for help, only a desire to gain all of good that the opportunity offered.

The first temptation that came was a desire to analyze the so-called causes which had brought about this condition; but in reading the Lesson-Sermon for that week these words greeted me: "The Christian Scientist finds only effects, where the ordinary physician looks for causes" (Science and Health, p. 379). This showed me the futility of delving into mortal beliefs, and the work was taken up from the standpoint that there is but one cause, and since this cause is God, good, the effect must of necessity be good.

At this point the suggestion was voiced that such a misfortune should not be experienced by a Christian Scientist, as the study of Christian Science should mean immunity from the perplexities of human experience. Instantly the answer to this came, however, as I thought of the parable spoken by Jesus of the two houses, one of which was built on the rock and the other on the sand. The storm came upon both, but it was the house with the firm foundation which stood. I knew that I was building on the rock of Truth, and that no storm of adversity could move this structure.

As these helpful thoughts came to me, fear, resentment, and self-condemnation were eliminated from consciousness, and thus the way was prepared for a higher understanding of the true significance of work. One night while returning from the Wednesday evening meeting I caught a glimpse of this, and saw work as the manifestation of divine activity, the reflection of Truth and Love. I also saw that man as God's idea could never for an instant be deprived of the opportunity to work, since he could not be deprived of the opportunity to reflect the qualities of divine Mind; that such work was not earning a living, but the reflecting of Life; that it was not dependent upon factory, office, or any vocation for expression, but was wholly spiritual.

Gone was the sense of interrupted activity and uncertainty of the previous week, and in its place was a broader, fuller understanding of opportunity. A kindly greeting and a word of cheer to one who seemed downhearted, assumed the same importance as the accomplishment of any difficult task that might be assigned to me in the office. It was also made clear that no matter how brilliant the execution of any task may appear, it "profiteth nothing" unless it is the manifestation of an unselfish desire to serve others and is accompanied by a grateful acknowledgment of the fact that all ability is in Mind, and that man reflects the divine power. Next came the thought of remuneration for work, which also gained a new and higher significance through the realization that Love has already provided for man's needs, since, as the apostle James tells us, "every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."

In a few days the typewriter agency where I had registered called me to take a position offering greater advancement than heretofore, with better hours and the prospect of an increase in salary, all of which has been fulfilled. I was told by the manager of the agency that I was particularly fortunate in being so well placed, and in fact that it was nothing short of a marvel that such a thing could happen at this particular time. While I was deeply grateful that the human needs were met in such a prompt manner, this really meant little in comparison with the understanding of God's law which was unfolded, revealing man's God-given dominion.

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