Government

HELEN WINIFRED PICKETT

WE all need to be more awake to realize that man is governed every moment by supreme authority, which regulates and controls all his thoughts. This governing power is God, the creator, whose government we sometimes forget to acknowledge, though He is ever present. Christian Science helps us to understand and acknowledge that it is through ever present Love and wisdom that "we live, and move, and have our being."

While studying a course in government recently, one student was beautifully awakened to the ever-presence and omnipotence of divine power. The introductory chapter of the textbook used for the course made it clear that many human activities are carefully and wisely governed, for the welfare of all. A business man retires at night, confident that his home is protected by law from intrusion. He arises in the morning, uses water from a government-controlled supply, eats a breakfast consisting largely of foods procured from government-inspected plants. taking it for granted that the food is clean and wholesome, without stopping to realize that the government has supplied these conveniences. Now he starts for his place of business. Whether he walks, drives his own car (under a government license), or takes a trolley car (government-owned or governmentoperated), he uses streets paved by the government and must obey traffic regulations. He and his business relations comply with government-made trading laws, and his employees are protected by government measures. When he seeks recreation in theater, park, or playground, he finds the government supervising these activities. Everywhere, he is in close contact with governing power, which constantly operates for the general good.

This human illustration of government made it clear to the student how near and ever operative is God, good, the motivating power which governs the entire spiritual universe. We should rouse ourselves from that take-it-for -granted attitude toward God-given blessings and awake to accept them and acknowledge constantly that we can do nothing of ourselves, but that all our actions are lovingly guided in the right path by the government of supreme wisdom and most tender love.

If we disobey the laws of Truth and admit any other government but good, we may be punished for our disobedience; for justice requires that we obey the laws of good, which operate for the equal benefit of all. When obedient to Truth, we deny the false claims of inharmonious government, of sickness, sin, or lack, and so overcome them and prove them unreal. In Article VIII, Section 1, of the Manual of The Mother Church Mrs. Eddy has written, "In Science, divine Love alone governs man; and a Christian Scientist reflects the sweet amenities of Love, in rebuking sin, in true brotherliness, charitableness, and forgiveness." Christian Science teaches us that it is a joy to let ourselves be governed by Love, God; and it shows us that we are never separated from His good government.

Then, let us awake each morning in the confident realization that God is with us, leading us joyfully and harmoniously through our daily tasks, in school, business, or home, as long as we recognize His government and endeavor to express thoughts of love and truth. By His power we prepare for our day's activities; we reflect His intelligence; under His government we think and act rightly. It is His infinite love that enables us to complete our work successfully and to help others along the way. The law of Love is always present, and we can be awake and alert to acknowledge, every moment, the government in which we rejoice. As we let Love govern all our actions, we are fulfilling God's law of good, so clearly explained throughout the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy.

How much peace and joy and untold good there is for us if we will only keep awake to see God's government everywhere! Thus we can prove the words of our textbook (p. 215), "Whatever is governed by God, is never for an instant deprived of the light and might of intelligence and Life."

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