Examinations as Opportunities

[Written Especially for Young People]

CHARLES PERRY SCHAFER

On the mental horizon of many young students of Christian Science, school examinations seem to loom dark and foreboding. They are considered to be testing times, and so they are. But in a larger sense they constitute opportunities for the Christian Scientist which should be welcomed. Examinations provide a means by which the conscientious student may demonstrate his mastery of the lessons which have been assigned him, and an opportunity to prove man's oneness with divine Mind—a glorious opportunity for which the alert student is thankful.

The young Christian Scientist must not in any way understimate the importance and value of his schoolwork. Nevertheless he should subordinate it to the all-important spiritual development, accepting every opportunity to prove man's relationship to divine Mind. This will bring him great blessings, and guide him in the correct answering of questions in his schoolwork.

We read in the Scriptures, "Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established." No difficult task is here required. To commit our "works unto the Lord" is to realize that the only source of intelligence is Mind, and that from this source only right ideas emanate. They are perfect and complete. There is no truth unknown to infinite Mind, because Mind is omniscient. Hence, there can be no truth unknown to God's perfect image, man. It is as impossible for spiritual man to know doubt, fear, ignorance, or confusion as it is for God to know them. Because man's true being is inseparable from God, divine Mind, it necessarily follows that there is no real power or influence which can hinder or distort his conscious, constant expression of the wisdom of the ever-present Father.

Mary Baker Eddy has written (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 183): "Man is God's image and likeness; whatever is possible to God, is possible to man as God's reflection. Through the transparency of Science we learn this, and receive it: learn that man can fulfil the Scriptures in every instance; that if he open his mouth it shall be filled—not by reason of the schools, or learning, but by the natural ability, that reflection already has bestowed on him, to give utterance to Truth." Conscious of this natural and God-given ability, the Christian Scientist may approach all his tasks, including school examinations, with calmness and assurance.

A student of Christian Science found a state bar examination an occasion for definite spiritual development. Even though his preparations for the examination had been thorough, he was tempted to fear the outcome. The suggestion that frantic last-minute study and "cramming" were necessary, faded before the realization that these are largely induced by excited fear and anxiety and have no place in orderly and scientific demonstration. He avoided as much as possible the usual conversations about expected difficulties, for plainly these could only make for worry and fear. Carefully, he set himself to exclude from his consciousness suggestions of failure, discouragement, fear, silently affirming man's immunity from them and their effects. He saw that divine intelligence is eternally expressed by man in God's likeness, and that nothing can interfere with or hinder that expression.

The realization in some measure of these facts brought the desire to understand them more clearly, and he turned to the Bible and to "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy. They became his only textbooks in preparation for the tests throughout the three days' examination. He experienced a calm efficiency, such as he had never known before. Moreover, he actually enjoyed as a pleasant experience that which had at first appeared most difficult.

The greater understanding of man's actual relationship to God, and, as a consequence, a stronger faith in "the superiority of spiritual power over material resistance" (ibid., p. 134), outweighed even the satisfaction that came with the passing of these examinations. Could there have been greater or more practical benefit? Is anything more essential to right living and acting than increased faith and spiritual understanding, even the faith and understanding which Christian Science ensures?

Christian Science does not obviate the necessity for sound study in one's schoolwork. But this study becomes less arduous and more efficient as the nature of God and man dawns upon one's consciousness, and spiritual capabilities are understood. The student of Christian Science should not find it necessary to pore for long periods of time over lessons in attempts to understand and remember them. Rather should he know that the faculties of Mind are instantly perceptive, receptive, and retentive, and that man constantly expresses these perfect spiritual faculties.

Each student may experience joy, happiness, efficiency, and wisdom on the occasion of his examinations if he will realize that Mind, inexhaustible Mind, is the fount of his intelligence and being. This truth, demonstrated, is a source of strength in human experience, available to all; and it embraces all true learning.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit