While it was spiritual sense that enabled the patriarch Abraham to perceive that three individuals approaching his tent were holy messengers from God, it was true zeal that caused him to run to them, feed them, and do them honor. We are told in the eighteenth chapter of Genesis that his zeal was rewarded, not only by the prophecy of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah but by the promise of a son; and he learned of his divine mission to found a great nation, in whom "all the nations of the earth" should be blessed.

Throughout the Bible, zeal, like a beautiful golden thread, weaves its luster through the lives of loved characters. In the New Testament we read that Zacchaeus, a little man who was eager to see Jesus in the crowd, as the Master passed by on the way to Jerusalem, climbed a tree to get a better view. (See Luke 19:1–9.) His zeal was rewarded by his having the Master as a guest in his house. Zacchaeus, it was proved, was not such a little man after all.

Part of the definition of "zeal" given in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, reads, "The reflected animation of Life, Truth, and Love" (p. 599). This animation and its reward received the benediction of Christ Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. "Blessed are they," he said, "which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled" (Matt. 5:6). The hungering and thirsting for true zeal are vital and moving. Reflecting God, Life, zeal cannot be passive. It will not let spiritual opportunities pass by. True zeal forever has its eye on spiritual goals and moves toward them. Our Leader writes (Science and Health, p. 514): "Mind's infinite ideas run and disport themselves. In humility they climb the heights of holiness."

The carnal mind, which denies all that is true, would annul true zeal and set a false sense in motion. This counterfeit quality is exposed in the second part of the definition of "zeal" as "blind enthusiasm; mortal will." Lending thought to this evil, one is apt to flounder around in the currents of mortal mind instead of mastering them as Jesus did. We may be swept along by emotion as Peter was when he cut off the ear of the high priest's servant. Paul warned about this type of error when he wrote to the Romans (10:2), "I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge."

Wisdom is a close ally of true zeal. Only zeal that is balanced with wisdom brings lasting reward. Zeal without wisdom is always wrong, nothingness. Erroneous in its premise, which is sometimes vanity or selfishness, its conclusions can only be erroneous. However, zeal aglow with honesty and intelligence, and tempered by patience and wisdom, strengthens interest, incentive, and purpose. It results in full participation in good.

The Christian disciple Ananias had to have his zeal restored when God told him to find Saul and heal him. (See Acts 9:10–17.) He was reluctant to have anything to do with such a controversial character. But true zeal won out, and Ananias was obedient. Both Saul and Ananias were blessed.

We read in the Gospels that Christ Jesus went off by himself to pray. Our zeal will be restored in just that way, through a time of quiet prayer. Zeal is fed by wellsprings of hope and faith. It makes one rejoice in the progress of others, while the more earnestly establishing one's own. True zeal is the prayer of humility that enables one to return again and still again to hear God's voice, as little Samuel did in the account in the third chapter of I Samuel.

True zeal comes from God. He gives us initiative, for He is the only creator. Let us be sure that our zeal is moving in God-directed areas. Should we ever feel it is at a standstill, let us drop everything until through prayer as taught in Christian Science we know that we are gravitating Godward.

While it is spiritual sense that enables us to recognize Mrs. Eddy as God's chosen revelator, it is true zeal that causes us to follow her. This following leads us gloriously upward. Our Leader writes in "Retrospection and Introspection" (p. 76): "The spiritually minded meet on the stairs which lead up to spiritual love. This affection, so far from being personal worship, fulfils the law of Love which Paul enjoined upon the Galatians. This is the Mind 'which was also in Christ Jesus,' and knows no material limitations."

Like Abraham, let us run to greet angels that appear at our mental door. Let us make room for them, obey our spiritual intuitions, listen to what God is telling us. Then will the Christ abide with us and heal us. No longer shall we be spiritually inadequate in testing times. Neither shall we fear the upheaval of Sodoms and Gomorrahs, but we shall come to know and understand our own spiritual mission and experience its wonders. This is the reward of true zeal.

The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. ... Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.—Lamentations 3:24, 25, 41.