World conditions need healing. On every hand mankind is reaching out for light on the problems that day after day loom up for solution. The Christian Scientist knows that there is only one enduring solution to world problems, and it is found in turning to the light "which lighteth every man that cometh into the world" (John 1:9). This light of Life is universal and is reflected by all.

Just as the sunshine reflects the light and warmth of the sun, so man, the idea of God, reflects the light of Truth. A cloud may seem to hide the sun, but the sun is still shining and its rays will again break through the clouds and shine forth in reflected glory. The clouds of mortal sense, sin, sickness, grief, lack, disunity, discouragement, and fear, may seem temporarily to hide the light of Truth and deprive us of ability to be the reflection of perfect God, but the beliefs of mortal sense can no more nullify the perfection and harmony of man than clouds can destroy the light which pours forth from the sun.

Man is never touched by the darkness of mortal beliefs. He has never had and can never have a life or existence apart from God, good. He reflects at all times the qualities of the one infinite Mind, the one intelligence, wisdom, and Love. The light of divine Truth, Life, and Love is ever present and forever expressed. Its expression seems clouded only when the false testimony of material sense is accepted. God is cloudless light, and it is for us to acknowledge and demonstrate this fact—to let our light shine.

Jesus said (Matt. 6:22), "If ... thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light." That is, if we refuse to ascribe power or presence to anything but God, good, the one Mind, our thought becomes more spiritual, more accurate, more illumined. Mary Baker Eddy writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 295): "The mortal mind through which Truth appears most vividly is that one which has lost much materiality—much error—in order to become a better transparency for Truth. Then, like a cloud melting into thin vapor, it no longer hides the sun."

Jesus also said (Matt. 5:14, 16): "Ye are the light of the world. ... Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." To let our light shine, we must obey the Master's further commands to go into all the world and preach the gospel; to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and cast out devils. The light which shines forth in healing emanates from infinite Mind, Life, Truth, and Love. Thus God will become more real to mankind as those who have found the truth in Christian Science let their light shine.

It is essential that our understanding of God, of Truth, be demonstrated in daily living. This means that in the home, in the office, in our churches, in fact wherever we may be, we should express the warmth of love and brotherhood which evidences the Christ. In our dealings with our fellow man, we must be scrupulously honest and fair, tolerant and patient, gentle and kind, understanding and compassionate, long-suffering and generous, ready to turn the other cheek (Matt. 5:39) and to forgive seventy times seven times (Matt. 18:22). Error is neither person, place, nor thing; and it can therefore never find expression as reality. Man is the perfect expression of perfect God. A clear realization of this truth will free our fellow men who seek our help and ourselves as well from the mesmeric beliefs of error, for our own way is lighted as we reflect the light to others.

Mrs. Eddy declares (Science and Health, p. 280), "From Love and from the light and harmony which are the abode of Spirit, only reflections of good can come." Jesus understood the good which is man's by virtue of his oneness with God; and sin, sickness, and death could not continue in his presence. The recognition of good as the only power and of man as the reflection of divine good is the light that brings healing.

Let your light shine! Each student of Christian Science must assume his individual responsibility in the face of apparent divisions and strife, in realizing for the world the supremacy of God and the ever-availability of His power. Talking about appalling world conditions as if they were real will never solve the world's problems. This is not a time for talking, but for demonstrating the allness of God and the unreality of all that is unlike God, good. Idle wishing that conditions may change will never bring results. This change can come about only by individual alertness manifested in right thinking and living.

It may seem that our individual effort is so small that it can have little if any effect on the world problem. On the floor of a large stadium, with some sixty thousand people surrounding him, one of the speakers lighted a single match. The light was barely perceptible. Then all of the lights were turned off, and sixty thousand people, obedient to the speaker's request, each lighted a match. Each single match flame was very small, but when multiplied many thousandfold the result was a burst of light.

With each Christian Scientist doing his part, what a spiritual awakening is possible in the world! It cannot be stressed too strongly that this can and will be accomplished as each one applies the truths of Christian Science to every detail of his own daily thinking and living. Sometimes we feel that it would be an easier matter to let our light shine if our environment were more congenial and if those around us were also interested in Christian Science. But where is a light needed? In the darkness. Let your light shine! Not all the darkness of the night can extinguish the light of one tiny flame, but rather the flame dissipates darkness in proportion to its light. So it is with the light of Truth and the darkness of error.

There is a challenge to each Christian Scientist in Mrs. Eddy's statement (ibid., p. 174): "Truth is revealed. It needs only to be practised." Though the material world is struggling in the darkness of fear, limitation, discouragement, disunity, and hatred, this darkness can be dispelled for each one through patient, steadfast individual reflection of God's love and goodness. Therefore, let your light shine!