Heaven on Earth

SARAH M. DAVIS

Everyone would like to live in heaven, but not everyone knows what heaven is or where it is to be found. When Jesus was on earth he had much to say about heaven, and one day he was asked when the kingdom of God, or heaven, should come. To this he replied, "The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you." Think of it, heaven—God's kingdom—not a place, not a city or land to see with mortal eyes, but something in us, within you and me, a state of consciousness! If we will, we can be in heaven now, and dwell there. It depends only upon what kind of thoughts we think. In reality man dwells in heaven now, and can never be anywhere else, for the real man is God's idea, the expression of divine Mind.

We should think of our real selves as dwelling in heaven, the heaven of holy, spiritual thinking. In reality this is our home; and we are the keepers of this home. The angels in our heaven are holy thoughts coming from God. These true, spiritual thoughts, which always tell us of God, are our honored guests, and should be our constant companions. If we would preserve in our mental home the sacred atmosphere of heaven, we must guard well our doors and not admit as guests false beliefs that do not come from God. Fear is one of these would-be intruders, and sickness is another. Pride, selfishness, laziness, envy, resentment, may also present themselves at our door, but they should always find it closed.

Suppose, however, when you were off guard one day, you should leave the door open just a very little, and some of these undesirable guests should push their way in. What would you do about it? Would you throw up your hands in despair? No, you would not do that. You would remember your position and you would say, It is for me to decide what guests shall remain in my home. Then, firmly and decisively, you would tell the false beliefs that they must leave, and quickly. Error is a coward and cannot stay when Truth bids it go. You have the spiritual authority from God, and as you exercise it error cannot choose but withdraw.

If you remember that heaven is your dwelling place, everywhere you are will be heaven to you. In your homes, it will be heaven not only for you, but for mother and sister and brother, because they will feel the benefit of your thoughts. The good thoughts you reflect from divine Love will make you happy, and others will be happy too.

In the schoolroom, if you take heaven with you, your school work will be easier and the hours will seem shorter. The teacher and the other pupils will be your friends; for as our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, writes, "Love is reflected in love" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 17).

When you and your friends are at play, and your thoughts are filled with love, heaven will be there also. In all that you do, divine Love, which governs you, will make you patient, kind, and generous. It will make you meek and just, giving to everyone his turn and his share. It will make you merciful, a friend to those who may feel left out, and a peacemaker. God, who is impartial Love, tenderly cares for all.

After you have been making heaven your home for a while, you will begin to learn many things about heaven you did not know before. Those who dwell in heaven love sometimes to be quiet and listen for the voice of God, and then God shows them what He is and what He wants them to do. The greatest happiness is found in serving. By serving is meant, not expecting other people to give things to us and do things for us, but thinking of helpful things to do for others and doing them. Everyone should wish to be great, even as Jesus told us how to be great. He said, "He that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve."

It is natural that we should think of heaven and prayer at the same time, for they are close companions: prayer is the door to heaven. Jesus taught many things about prayer; and among them he said, "Thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." This closet, Mrs. Eddy explains in Science and Health (p. 15), typifies "the sanctuary of Spirit, the door of which shuts out sinful sense but lets in Truth, Life, and Love." This "sanctuary of Spirit" is "the secret place of the most High." In this blessed abode we are safe from all harm, for we are under the loving Father's care.

One day when Jesus, who was continually talking to his disciples about heaven and the things of God, had lifted his own thoughts to God in prayer, "when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray." Then he gave them the prayer we all love so much, the prayer we know as the Lord's Prayer. This prayer is full of heavenly thought, and all who live in the atmosphere of this prayer will find heaven everywhere.

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