One can undertake any journey with a sense of serenity and freedom when he understands the spiritual fact that he is not in reality a mortal being carried by a rapidly moving vehicle from one part of the globe to another. Christian Science teaches that man does not dwell in a physical body at all, but in the perpetual consciousness of his identity as the child of God. Man is spiritual because his creator is Spirit, and he has that dominion over all the earth which divine Mind, God, bestows upon His image and likeness. To grasp the truth of real being aids one in demonstrating safety and harmony in his human pursuits and enables him to take the necessary footsteps with wisdom and foresight.

The many useful means of transport which human thought is evolving with increasing rapidity in these days point to still mightier discoveries in the realm of Spirit, where no sense of limitation exists. Whilst the Christian Scientist makes use of human inventions, he understands that a train, ship, car, or plane is a manifestation, or object, of human thought; and although he recognizes the usefulness of such inventions, he knows that in reality his life is not controlled or endangered by matter. The man of God's creating is governed wholly by the infinite, divine Principle, and consequently he cannot be confined to a limited space.

In the sixth chapter of St. John's Gospel is recounted a journey made by Jesus' disciples. One stormy evening as they rowed with difficulty across the Sea of Galilee they saw Jesus walking towards them on the water, and not recognizing him at first, they were afraid. But Jesus, comforting them, said, "It is I; be not afraid." Their fear must have instantly disappeared, for the Bible states, "Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went."

The writer once had an experience which helped her to understand more clearly how prayer, as practiced in Christian Science, eliminates fear, lessens the sense of time, and demonstrates harmony on a journey. She had to cross the sea by night in order to be present at a very important gathering the following morning. The night was blustery, and on boarding the ship she went at once to her cabin to lie down and rest. The stewardess was busy making preparations for what she said was going to be a rough crossing. Taking the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, the writer turned to the definition of "wind" in the Glossary, which reads in part (p. 597): "That which indicates the might of omnipotence and the movements of God's spiritual government, encompassing all things."

She felt the inspiration of this passage very deeply and, after pondering it for a short time, knew no more until it was time to disembark in the early morning. To her there had been no sense whatsoever of having crossed the sea. It had apparently been calm, and her fellow passengers free from seasickness. After an overland journey of several hours she arrived at her destination refreshed and ready for the work before her. Many other journeys by land and sea and in the air have been made in perfect harmony, and often some fresh inspiration gained through the study of Christian Science has provided the right idea to meet a specific need.

Human life may be likened to the journey from sense to Soul in the course of which the superiority of Mind over matter, of Truth over error, is increasingly demonstrated. Sometimes the inspiration which comes from God is a call to action, often an order to wait and watch for the unfoldment of events with expectation and readiness to obey. At each step of his progressive journey in the process of spiritual awakening, the traveler proves that the truths of God and man are ever available to meet every seeming obstacle and lead him on to a deeper consciousness of peace, to wider opportunities for service in His vineyard. Every victory over false beliefs blots out the memory of painful footsteps he may seem to have taken in transit from materiality to spirituality.

Jesus counseled his followers (Matt. 11:29,30): "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." In heeding his counsel, the Christian Scientist accepts the inspiration of Love and the guidance of divine wisdom at each stage of his journey Godward and finds the way of salvation growing clearer. The burdensome baggage of mortal mind beliefs begins to drop away. Self-will, self-pity, self-righteousness, and the illusions of life and sensation in matter are progressively overcome. However arduous the way appears to be, if the Way-shower is followed, peace reigns on the journey. Faith and hope speed the traveler, and joy brings him strength, freedom, and power.

In her Message to The Mother Church for 1902 Mrs. Eddy writes (p. 10), "When the human mind is advancing above itself towards the Divine, it is subjugating the body, subduing matter, taking steps outward and upwards." She continues farther on (p. 11): "Our heavenly Father never destined mortals who seek for a better country to wander on the shores of time disappointed travellers, tossed to and fro by adverse circumstances, inevitably subject to sin, disease, and death. Divine Love waits and pleads to save mankind—and awaits with warrant and welcome, grace and glory, the earth-weary and heavy-laden who find and point the path to heaven."

The waymarks of Christian Science do indeed afford us a profitable journey from sense to Soul as we study, ponder, obey, practice, and demonstrate its truths. Whenever we admit the Christ, Truth, into our consciousness, the sense of Love's ever-presence stills our fears. Holding faithfully to the truths of Christian Science in our individual consciousness, no matter what the outward circumstances may be, benefits not only ourselves, but all within the range of our thought.

Reflecting Love day by day and hour by hour, as Christ Jesus did, is the clear, straight road in the pilgrimage from earth to heaven, harmony, from the limitations and discords of mortal existence to the infinite and harmonious realm of Spirit, where man is held eternally safe in God's care.