Proper planning is essential to the successful and harmonious operation of any human endeavor. Planning must, however, be put on a scientific basis in order to be useful and effective. It must be in accord, as Paul said, with "the purpose of him [God] who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will" (Eph. 1:11).

Under the definition of "Mind" given in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mary Baker Eddy writes in part (p. 591), "Deity, which outlines but is not outlined." Man, as God's reflection, must then express this outlining in every thought and action, or else man would cease to be the true image of Mind, God. Man is not outlined by nonintelligent matter or limited by a sense of ignorance, inadequacy, or lack, because God, Mind, includes none of these things.

Every experience of our entire lives, then, should be the result of intelligent and God-directed planning and outlining. Every human plan should show forth such divine attributes as wisdom, intelligence, perceptiveness, purposefulness, and decisiveness, and we should understand somewhat of the certainty with which God directs and guides His own idea. At the same time we need to exclude any sense of ignorance, fear, futility, indecision, inefficiency, or inaction, on the basis that not one of these is an attribute of God or has any possible expression in any action of man.

As a simple example of the necessity of human planning, think of the futility of trying to build a house without adequate detailed plans. Plans for a house always not only show the larger and more obvious features, but include even the smallest details, such as the location of the light switches, electrical outlets, and water faucets. If anything is not expressly included in the plans, it is not made a part of the finished house. Should we not take a hint from this useful example and plan our lives always in accord with God's direction to the very best of our ability; and should we not include in our plans every element essential to our happiness, well-being, security, and success, so that these elements may be given expression in our lives?

A way to outline our actions in accordance with God's direction might begin as follows. First discard all sense of human will or thoughts of action proceeding from personal prejudices or desires. Then array God's attributes, such as certainty, unerringness, rightness, goodness, right action, against the supposed qualities of indecision, fruitlessness, and inaction. Realize that man possesses by reflection each and all of God's attributes now in every thought and action. Deny the false claim of the suppositional qualities of the mortal material senses and affirm God's allness and omnipotence. Admit that man is governed by Truth and that the only real laws governing all action are laws of God, the only Mind or intelligence.

Then let us choose the course of human action which will exhibit the greatest degree of expression of God's attributes and continually reexamine our course of action to see that these attributes are fully and completely manifested. If at any time they are not, then let us change our course until they are properly expressed.

With our increased spiritual understanding it is to be expected that plans will be changed in accordance with this further unfoldment. This change does not represent necessarily an error in outlining, but rather is it a natural result of a more mature and spiritual view of God and His image, His reflection, man. We are always progressing as long as we act up to our highest understanding of God; and as long as we are so doing we should have no fear of making mistakes.

Mrs. Eddy acted in accordance with her highest understanding of God. She did not sit back and wait for something to happen. If she had done so, we would not have our textbook, our Church, or our periodicals. A careful reading of one of the authorized biographies, "Mary Baker Eddy and Her Books" by William Dana Orcutt, leads to the inescapable conclusion that our Leader carefully and constantly planned every step in her life with the most scrupulous regard for even the minutest detail.

Mrs. Eddy did not strike out blindly or impetuously, but waited on God until her comprehension of Him was sufficient to carry her forward; but meanwhile she never ceased her activity in endeavoring to learn more about Him. She never hesitated, either, to change or improve her outlining as she gained a better understanding of God and His government. For example, she revised and added to the Manual of The Mother Church many times, until finally her concept was wholly in accord with God's outlining.

A university student who was also a student of Christian Science was asked to speak about his research work to a meeting of one hundred or so of the fellow members of his department in the university. He prayerfully and carefully compiled a list of God's attributes, such as intelligence, life, wisdom, and so forth, which he wished to express in his talk. He realized that all these attributes are elements of God, and that he, as God's image and likeness, expressed each and every one in its highest degree.

Then the student made a careful outline of the talk, with a strict regard for a full manifestation of each of the attributes. The outline was revised several times, each time with a view to giving a more precise and definitive expression of God's attributes. When the outline was completed to the student's satisfaction he realized that those coming to hear him speak were in reality God's ideas, who expect to hear only God's attributes expressed. Realizing this, he knew that there would be no room for irrelevant questions or contentious controversy—a false view of God and His idea.

The natural result of this preparation was an orderly, informative, and well-received talk, free from needless questions or controversy, which had been characteristic of many previous meetings. Here is a practical example of the use of truths taught in Christian Science and of the wisdom of careful scientific planning.

Action enters every aspect of human effort. Action requires that we have a plan and that we watch, work, and pray up to our highest understanding of God, and not be lazy, indifferent, or mentally sluggish. Wise planning is the result of competent mental action, the natural consequence of the sincere study and application of Christian Science.