"HERE AM I"
It is interesting to note that when the child Samuel heard his name called, he answered readily (I Sam. 3:4), "Here am I." When he learned from Eli that the call had not come from him, but was from God, he obediently followed Eli's instruction, and the next time the call came Samuel replied (I Sam. 3:10), "Speak: for thy servant heareth." Our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, tells us on pages 8 and 9 of her autobiography, "Retrospection and Introspection," of a similar childhood experience. She also readily responded to what she thought was a human call. When convinced by her mother that the call came from God, she followed her mother's instruction and replied, "Speak, Lord; for Thy servant heareth."
When a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, holds an election to fill its various offices, its membership prays earnestly to God for guidance in the selection of candidates for these positions. The individual member who sees his name appear as one of these candidates may think that here is merely a human call to service coming from his fellow members. However, if he finds that God is calling him to this service and is quick to respond in his heart, "Here am I," and if the further reliance of the membership upon Mind's direction results in his election, he may then be assured that the same reply which Samuel made, "Speak; for thy servant heareth," will bring to him also the wisdom, strength, and guidance of God for his task.
Many of us may feel that we are only children in our experience in Christian Science when we receive our first call to serve in a church office. Our willingness to serve, however, will not bring us tasks before we are prepared to undertake them. The Bible tells us that Samuel grew and the Lord was with him, but it was many years before his record began as a spiritual leader in Israel. Those familiar with the biographies of Mrs. Eddy know that long years of preparation preceded her final revelation of Truth to this age.
In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" our Leader says (p. 455): "God selects for the highest service one who has grown into such a fitness for it as renders any abuse of the mission an impossibility. The All-wise does not bestow His highest trusts upon the unworthy. When He commissions a messenger, it is one who is spiritually near Himself." If we have not yet grown into such fitness for service in the office to which we find ourselves nominated, can we not trust confidently that God will not select us for this service? If we are elected, can we not be equally confident of our worthiness for this trust?
To be reluctant to undertake God's work seems to be a characteristic human trait. It is recorded that when Moses considered the nature of the demand being made upon him, he hesitated. "Who am I," he said unto God (Ex. 3: 11), "that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?" God's comforting reply, "Certainly I will be with thee," was one of many assurances of His help that Moses received. And upon all of these assurances we too may rely. God is with us and will teach us what we should do and say.
Every Christian Scientist can produce illustrations of personal problems which have been solved harmoniously when the demands of God have been fulfilled. The writer had always thought it necessary to work on Monday nights in the organization by which she is employed. When her name first appeared as a nominee for the board of directors in her branch church, she asked if board meetings were always held on Monday evenings. Upon being reminded that the church by-laws provided for this, she asked to have her name withdrawn.
Some years later, when her name appeared again on the nomination list for board members, she was certain that God would not let her be put in a place where He would not sustain her and provide for her to serve. Though she was still working Monday nights when she was elected to office, she found that a change in schedule could be arranged. Since that time she has had great joy and growth in serving in the elective and appointive offices to which she has been called.
If church members have prayed earnestly to be guided by the one Mind in their preparation for church elections, the first nominating ballot should reflect the unity of thought which has been their demonstration. If, one after another, many members ask to have their names withdrawn from the ballot and names which have had only a scattered vote are substituted, may this not tend to break the unity of thinking and demonstration? A church in which there is an active membership, all ready to work as they may be called upon, is a growing church. Its individual members find that there is work for all and that each has a turn to serve where his abilities can best serve our Cause.
Members of Churches of Christ, Scientist, may well ponder in their entirety their Leader's "Extempore Remarks" made at "Sunday Services on July Fourth" (Miscellaneous Writings, pp. 176, 177). In them she sets forth the world's great need at this time of Christian Science and of Christian Scientists. "But what of ourselves, and our times and obligations?" she questions. And she concludes: "Will you give yourselves wholly and irrevocably to the great work of establishing the truth, the gospel, and the Science which are necessary to the salvation of the world from error, sin, disease, and death? Answer at once and practically, and answer aright!"
