True Identity

MARION E. SCHAFFER

FILLING consciousness with the truths of man's real being, and trusting God with the right unfolding and solution of life's problems, are the only sure ways of being led out of the influence of human will and mortal mind domination and into paths of righteousness. To the new student in Christian Science, the task of filling one's thoughts with the true concepts of man's real selfhood may seem at first difficult, especially if early spiritual training or right thinking has been neglected; but right efforts are crowned with success, and each wrong thought displaced by a true thought makes the victory more certain.

To a student whose concept of home had played an integral part in life, there came the time, after learning of Christian Science, when the unreality of this concept of home was uncovered, and he was forced to find "home" in God and his own spiritual identity. When this stage of growth was reached, error screamed loud in the guise of human will, pride, self-pity, and in many other ways of mortal mind. But the "still small voice" of Truth was heeded. Whatever the cost, the light of Truth which had dawned must not be sacrificed. Love for God and His idea brought its rich reward of peace and comfort, and healed his wounds.

In Science and Health (p. 261) we read, "Breaking away from the mutations of time and sense, you will neither lose the solid objects and ends of life nor your own identity." True thoughts, such as kindness, gratitude, love, meekness, and joy, are not in any way dependent on material conditions for expression. Wherever we are placed, we can always express these qualities in proportion to our right thinking, our Godlike thinking. It is these qualities that reveal our true identity, and cannot be taken from us.

What a joy to the student to whom the problem of environment or lack may, through the mist of mortal mind, look like a mountain, to learn even a little of the universal and spiritual nature of good. Then, if he puts into practice the little he discerns, the seed will grow more naturally; and as the soil (his thinking) becomes better cultivated (more pure), the flowers (right thoughts) will grow more naturally and be an ever present help to meet all human needs. In "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 307) Mrs. Eddy says, "God gives you His spiritual ideas, and in turn, they give you daily supplies." The student of Christian Science must put into practice what he discerns of Truth through his daily study of the Bible and Science and Health. If he does this as he goes daily about his work, whether it be in the home, the office, the field, he is filling his niche in the economy of life, and will receive opportunities in proportion to his faithfulness to God. He thus finds that his identity is ever safe in God.

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