Receptivity

Evelyn F. Heywood

It can be said without likelihood of controversy that mankind is at the standpoint of receptivity. Every day, every hour, indeed every minute, mankind is receiving something of impressions, of suggestions, of instructions. The primary question is, To what is it receptive? What is the character, the source of its receptivity?

"Doth not the ear try words? and the mouth taste his meat?" queried Job. Hearing, seeing, tasting, feeling—the sense which inform men, which bring them pleasure or pain—are they intelligently guided, are they alert to what they receive, what reject? If men always tried their words—and back of them the thoughts whereby they are directed, alert to their influence and purpose, and to their own ability to accept what is true, to challenge what is evil—how different would be the world in which we live. Brought always to the judgment seat of Truth, tested by the canon of divine Principle, how blessed would be their receptivity, how sure its harvest of usefulness.

In the first chapter of John's Gospel, we read of the Christ that "as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God." Received him! This was what was demanded of men, that they should receive the Christ, and thereby sonship would be realized. But what was to be the nature of this receptivity? Mary Baker Eddy has defined it for us in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 182): "'As many as received him;' that is, as many as perceive man's actual existence in and of his divine Principle, receive the Truth of existence."

Reception, therefore, is not mere passive acceptance of Truth. Power comes to men as sons of God only as they understand what this receptivity actually includes, the conscious perception and therefore expression of spiritual existence. With this acceptance of sonship comes the full measure of its power.

In opposition to the receptivity of the Christ-idea is materiality, deliberately or ignorantly receptive to that which denies and opposes it. Herein is no fullness but depletion, no grace but discord, no power but the ever darkening, undermining, contradicting, narrowing force of evil.

How gently and winningly did Jesus seek receptivity for the message of salvation he brought! With what earnest and spiritually equipped persuasion did Mrs. Eddy present to humanity the fullness of grace which was to bring it health and freedom. And wherever a receptive heart is found, now as centuries ago, the seeming miracle takes place. Health is restored, blind eyes see, disease vanishes, sinful lives are redeemed. "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray," declared Jesus, "believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." It is well that we ask ourselves: What is it that we believe we are receiving, and from whom? If the source of our receiving is erroneous, then why do we accept it? If of God, then how profoundly grateful we can be for the grace of His giving, out of the fullness of His love.

There are no greater barriers to receptivity than preconceived opinions, than human will forcing its own stubborn way, than fear leaping always to the receptivity of evil rather than good. These will be relinquished as men rise, steadfastly, intelligently, to the recognition of their power to accept that only which comes to them from Mind. "All things are delivered unto me of my Father," Jesus told his disciples—all things, and because he perceived them, they were his. Boundless, impartial, eternal, and forever good are those things which are delivered to us of God. That they do not find expression in happy, healthy, useful lives, is due to nonreceptivity. So engaged is mortal mind in desiring, in fighting for the things not given to it of the Father, so engaged in denying the possibility, the authenticity, the availability of that which God gives, that desire and faith remain far apart.

On page 118 of "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany," Mrs. Eddy writes: "A saving faith comes not of a person, but of Truth's presence and power. Soul, not sense, receives and gives it." Here giving and receiving are seen to be one. How immutably was this expressed in the life of Jesus! Forever receiving, forever giving, he was surely the world's greatest recipient, its greatest giver. Here is the call, here the incentive, here the inspiration to those who desire beyond all things to possess and to impart good. Without receiving there can be no giving. With the consciousness which Soul imparts of receptivity, how potential must be the wealth and the width of our giving!

In the awareness of Truth's presence, men will rise to the perception of what God gives that they may receive it. They will cease to believe themselves victims or beneficiaries of that which God does not give. Equipped with the initiative, enlightened with the ability, strengthened with the power which is theirs as sons of God, they will go forth in conscious expression of that which forever receives, forever imparts.

Evelyn F. Heywood

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