Fixing Our Gaze on Truth

JULIA GARRETT

Mrs. Eddy writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 261), "Hold thought steadfastly to the enduring, the good, and the true, and you will bring these into your experience proportionably to their occupancy of your thoughts." She also says (ibid.,p. 133), "In national prosperity, miracles attended the successes of the Hebrews; but when they departed from the true idea, their demoralization began."

"When they departed from the true idea"! How many times in our passage from sense to Soul are we tempted to depart from the true idea! Through the healing of some disease believed to be incurable we catch a glimpse of the power of Truth, and in our gratitude and joy we bravely start forward, thinking that all our problems are nearing solution. We see the path shining ahead of us, and rejoice that we have thrown off the burden which seemed to hold us back.

Soon, however, we may find that the path is not so free from obstacles as it had seemed to be. It becomes rough and oftentimes dark, with here and there valleys to traverse and hills to climb. It leads through deep waters and over rocks. The light that always shines so brightly appears dim and faint, and to material sense at times appears to be altogether extinguished. It is then that we need to remain steadfast, and to keep our gaze fixed on the divine realities.

A student of Christian Science at one time was doing surveying work in a mountainous region. In the course of this work, he and his companion found that to reach their destination they would have to climb a steep, rugged mountain, or else go through a tunnel a mile in length. After due consideration they decided to go through the tunnel; and so they entered it. For a short distance there was light; but as they went on, the tunnel became so dark that they could no longer see each other: the farther they went the blacker it became, until at almost every step they stumbled over the railroad tracks or ran into the stone walls. They could not even tell in what direction they were going.

Finally, they saw in the distance a tiny point of light; and turning to it they kept their eyes fastened upon it. Soon they found that instead of stumbling over the railroad track they were guided down the center of it; and progress was then easy and rapid. They had found a guide; and by humbly following it they were led out into the full brightness of the sunshine.

So in our journey Spiritward we find that our path may lead us through many dark tunnels, and our understanding of Truth may seem to be but a tiny point of light piercing the gloom. But however small it may seem, if we fix our gaze upon what light we have and follow it humbly and trustfully, the truth will safely guide us out of all error into the consciousness of God's eternal presence.

In the ninth chapter of Nehemiah we read, "Yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness: the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to shew them light, and the way wherein they should go."

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The Realm of Spirit

January 4, 1930

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