Satisfaction

ROBERT WALTER SAGE

Mankind seems to be constantly engaged in putting forth its energy for the specific purpose of gaining what it would call satisfaction. This is true of its efforts along the lines of both business and pleasure. But the results obtained are illusive and disappointing. Men are, nevertheless, justified in their search for satisfaction. The trouble would seem to lie in a misapprehension as to what constitutes real satisfaction, and naturally in a similar mistaking of what really constitutes true desire.

On pages 60 and 61 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, says, "Higher enjoyments alone can satisfy the cravings of immortal man." The trouble with mankind is that it fails to discern the right or real desire, and consequently often turns in every direction but the correct one for real satisfaction and the peace that accompanies it. The efforts of mortals usually take the form of an attempt to satisfy by some human, material means what is basically a God-given desire. Is it any wonder that such a combination fails to satisfy or to bring peace? Thus in time, after constant disappointment and disillusionment, mankind finds that "man's extremity is God's opportunity."

The sinner is often one who is making a somewhat desperate effort to appease certain material desires. Because these efforts must fail, the sinner often awakes to his need of salvation before others who appear more righteous. Thus it is that Jesus said that the publicans and sinners enter heaven before the self-righteous. Christian Science with its glorious message of salvation comes, however, to all in their darkness, enabling them to prove by demonstration their sonship with God, and to find the source of all true satisfaction.

In praying for his followers, Jesus said, "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." All will sooner or later awake to the truth of this profound statement, and with the awakening will realize that all true desire, being of God and originating in God, can find only the satisfaction which God, Spirit, supplies. Jesus said, "Abide in me, and I in you;" also, "He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit." Here are referred to both desire and satisfaction, the only real and eternal desire and its only permanent satisfaction.

In the corridor of a certain college is a picture entitled "The Muck Rake." It shows a man on bended knee searching in a heap of tawdry rubbish. So intent is he in his search for earthy treasure that he fails to see Jesus the Christ, who stands close behind him, waiting to satisfy his every need. He who said, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand," knew also that it seemed afar off to the one engrossed in the cares and pleasures of the world of materialism!

Let us turn, then, from the belief of earthly satisfaction, and seek first God's righteousness and kingdom. On page 413 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy has warned us that "the act of yielding one's thoughts to the undue contemplation of physical wants or conditions induces those very conditions." Shall we not, therefore, turn from material sense and its false testimony to the source and circumference of our being, to Life, Truth, and Love, our Father-Mother God? Forgetting in such contemplation what seems to present itself as our earthly condition, we shall find the true satisfaction and "peace of God, which passeth all understanding." Just in the proportion that we gain an understanding of spiritual existence, of the allness of God, good, and His ever present manifestation, will our material surroundings, so called, become improved, and we shall learn the truth of prayer and its answered desire.

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