Guests of God

CHARLES BUFORD STANTON

We are in God's kingdom now; we are His guests now: only in belief can we imagine ourselves elsewhere; for the Scripture says, "In him we live, and move, and have our being." Abraham looked not for a material abode, but for "a city ... whose builder and maker is God."

We are in God's kingdom now! What comfort and peace the realization of this fact should bring. Mrs. Eddy writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 254), "Pilgrim on earth, thy home is heaven; stranger, thou art the guest of God." As a guest of God, do we accept naturally and without question His unlimited goodness? Or do we not often doubt our Host? Do not we sometimes fear that our Host will not feed us? Do we question that our Host may not provide ample shelter? Are we not too often inclined to believe that there is another kingdom than His, a kingdom of evil, wherein are sin and destruction built upon matter, which may at any time be swept away? Do we not often believe we are in this evil kingdom instead of in God's kingdom, wherein are many mansions of love and mercy?

"I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me," says the Scripture. Hence, there is in reality no other kingdom but God's kingdom. Mrs. Eddy tells us that "God is infinite Love, which must be unlimited" (Science and Health, p. 312). We, then, really dwell in the kingdom of Love. Can Love be or do evil? Let us ponder seriously this question. Surely it cannot. Why, then, should we ever doubt our Host, God? Emphatically we should not!

As a guest of a friend or a loved one, seldom, if ever, does there enter a doubt but that we shall be fed and comfortably housed. Naturally we accept these things—the best that he has—from our earthly host. We have no fear whatever for our comfort or welfare while his guest. We receive the pleasantness and comfort of his hospitality as a consequence of friendship and love. Dear ones, we are the guests of God! Our earthly host is but a symbol of our heavenly, ever present Host, God. We are in God's kingdom always, every second. There is no separation from God, no other kingdom than His! No one, no thing, can be anywhere else; for God's kingdom is as infinite as God Himself.

There is ample supply for all in God's kingdom, which is infinite in its abundant spiritual love. Therefore, nothing can enter it "that defileth ... or maketh a lie." Health, peace, eternal life, all good, abound in God's kingdom for every one of His guests, "from the least of them even unto the greatest." What blesses one cannot help blessing all, for we are His guests, dwelling together in infinite Love,—God's kingdom; therefore every blessing, however seemingly individual, is universal.

Do you want health, weary wanderer? Is there a seeming lack? Is the error discouragement? Do you think some one has wronged you, and that you stand alone in the world? You are still the guest of God! It matters not what your problems are. None are so poor but that they may start on the road to peace as did Abraham. Humility and gratitude are two of the most precious spiritual gems; and they will illumine the way for the sincere seeker for Truth to the realization and understanding of infinite Love, where rests secure from all harm or want every one of God's guests "under the shadow of the Almighty." Humility and gratitude! Lay these at His feet and go thy way in peace, for there is no place where God is not; and our Host, God, who is "a jealous God," demanding that we shall not recognize or countenance any other kingdom but His kingdom, amply provides and cares for His guests who trust Him wholeheartedly, naturally, and without question.

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