That God is indispensable to man is a fundamental fact of being, and it is equally true that man is indispensable to God. Without man, God would have no representation, no witness or expression. Isaiah declared, "Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen." As the joyous fact dawns in human consciousness that man is essential to God, as witness to His glory, there comes a compelling challenge to go forward under Mind's direction and to fulfill God's plan for His beloved son.

Now God's plan is tangible, comprehensible, available to each of His children. God has made man capable of comprehending His thoughts and ready to execute His command. "What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"

Under God's plan we must firmly close the door on human speculation, on foreboding fear that past experience is inadequate, that preparation for a new step is insufficient, that environment is unfamiliar, that required standards are out of reach. We must listen with undivided attention to God's thoughts, listen for and obey His leading; listen and press forward, always with ear attuned to the divine voice.

We can follow the heavenly intuition with full confidence, for God's plan is outlined by Him. It has clarity, distinctness, form, but no limits. "Soul has infinite resources with which to bless mankind," Mary Baker Eddy tells us in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 60), "and happiness would be more readily attained and would be more secure in our keeping, if sought in Soul." What glorious adventure if the way leads us through unfamiliar paths toward an objective dimly discerned! What if God's command does require "about face"!

One student of Christian Science had prepared himself to work in the field of higher mathematics and had had a brief but satisfying opportunity to use his knowledge when a change took place in personnel, and a search was made for a new position. After weeks of prayerful work in Christian Science there came an opportunity to work with young children in a field which involved nothing more of mathematics than the multiplication table. Convinced that God was leading the way, though it seemed a far cry from previous plans, he accepted the challenge, and was soon exploring unsuspected fields, making rapid professional progress as well as growing in grace.

It happens quite generally in these days that the university student or the man in training for service finds himself forced to enroll in what is known as the accelerated plan of study, a course which tends to telescope branches of learning and often requires study under high pressure. The Christian Scientist does well to remember that while obedient to regulation, he is in reality subject only to Principle, whose law requires of man only what he can fulfill. In God's kingdom time is measured by the unfoldment of good.

Again, in many a field of study and activity, the worker is subjected to an aptitude test which is calculated to bring out the high lights of his capabilities. The Christian Scientist will not be overconcerned about the findings of the test when he remembers the record of man in the first chapter of Genesis, man the perfect likeness of his Maker, forever bearing witness to God's allness. In quiet confidence he will take to himself Mrs. Eddy's reassuring words recorded in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p.165): "As an active portion of one stupendous whole, goodness identifies man with universal good. Thus may each member of this church rise above the oft-repeated inquiry, What am I? to the scientific response: I am able to impart truth, health, and happiness, and this is my rock of salvation and my reason for existing."

If foreboding fears presage lack of opportunity for individual initiative in postwar days, the Christian Scientist knows that no socialized plan, no government regulation, no human organizing can deprive him of his individuality, for he is both required and empowered to represent God at all times and in all ways.

In a beautiful article entitled "Obedience" Mrs. Eddy makes this behest (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 117): "Be sure that God directs your way; then, hasten to follow under every circumstance." In italics our Leader writes the word "directs"! Moreover, she bids us "hasten to follow"—no hesitating, no doubtful querying, no dawdling; and "to follow"— no need to blaze a trail with divine Love always present to guard and guide.

The joy of obedient adherence to the way was early borne in upon two young students of Christian Science whose favorite pastime was mountain climbing. Early one spring they started the ascent of a rugged New England mountain. Under the shelter of pine and oak, up the course of a roaring brook they climbed. Notches on the tree trunks, well weathered but none the less discernible, marked the way. At length, emerging above the timber line, they came out on craggy granite boulders mounting high above their heads. No vestige of a trail—the cairns scattered by winter snow and ice. Should they scramble up the face of the rock to get a wider view? No, rather go back along the trail they had already tramped, watching closely for the spur path to the summit. Soon it came clearly to view, previously unnoticed as they had hastened upward.

So, if the Christian Scientist should seem to face a dead end in his thinking, he may with humility and prayer recall past experiences in which he has had proof positive of Love's presence, and with gratitude and courage renewed, press on again, confidently trusting Christian Science. As his thought ascends, he discerns God's plan in all its unity and light and grandeur.