At one point in my business experience, I worked for a company that made the transition from aircraft manufacturing to the development of aerospace vehicles. Our company was in the forefront of the national effort that eventually carried astronauts to the moon.

The trials we encountered in reaching our objective seemed endless, and at times insurmountable. The fact that research in outer space was dealing with unknown, uncharted areas of the solar system made every day a new experience, a new trial, a testing of some law of physics, chemistry, aerodynamics.

More than technical know-how was required to sustain the momentum and courage needed to keep the project on course. There was a demand for a collective effort, born of mutual respect and earned trust in one another. The nature of this project demanded a higher degree of unity and cooperation than might be common to most business enterprises, athletic programs, and the like.

Personal pride, job title, background, were subordinated to a higher purpose. It was recognized by all that the strict demand for perfection required the services and individual input of every worker, from the chief engineer to the workman driving rivets. Perfection was expected and essential. The day of final proof arrived for the launch of the Apollo 11. Traveling to the launching site that memorable day, you could feel a quiet, almost reverential, atmosphere among those on the NASA bus.

The success of this great event brought not boastful shouting among those who had contributed the most but a quiet humility, a respect for a larger purpose. Later, one of the astronauts was asked by a reporter if he was concerned about posterity forgetting what he had accomplished. He replied, "I guess I really don't care; we know who we are!" Those early pioneers in space certainly needed to be willing to make many sacrifices.

Yet how does this giant step of human progress compare to the spiritual progress exemplified by what the Nazarene Prophet taught and proved nearly two thousand years ago? Christ Jesus taught the absolute supremacy of Spirit, of the one God. And in proof of this he overcame the law of gravity by walking on the water; controlled violent weather by calming the winds on the Sea of Galilee; healed sickness, disease, and deformity instantly. His proof of man's God-given dominion over matter reached its zenith when, after his crucifixion, he vanquished death after having spent three days in a tomb.

It was Jesus' humble yielding to the divine will that motivated him to submit to the crucifixion. And this enabled him to demonstrate for mankind, for all time, the deathless reality of Life in and of God, Spirit. He gave the ultimate illustration of his own teaching "He that humbleth himself shall be exalted."

Humility is essential in the work of spiritual healing, as Mrs. Eddy showed so clearly in her own life. In humility she strictly adhered to the divine commands—with all that they imply—to love God and to love one's neighbor as oneself. And her healing works illustrate this humble yielding to the divine government.

It is the power of God and His Christ that frees us from sickness and sin. That's why a Christian healer speeds the healing process in proportion to his willingness to assign all power to God, to divine Truth. Jesus' total yielding to Truth enabled him to heal instantaneously.

In her Miscellaneous Writings Mrs. Eddy states, "Humility is lens and prism to the understanding of Mind-healing; ... it is indispensable to personal growth, and points out the chart of its divine Principle and rule of practice." And she counsels. "Cherish humility, 'watch,' and 'pray without ceasing,' or you will miss the way of Truth and Love."

Does humility vary or weaken in time of trial? Not true humility, derived from divine Love. Yielding in prayer to Love's control, we express spiritual power and consistency. On the other hand, the human mind's pretense to be a personal originator—with its negative characteristics of self-will, self-justification, and self-righteousness—would block our perception of Love's healing power. Fortunately, these traits and tendencies can be dealt with by grasping that they are unrelated to man's actual, spiritual selfhood in God's likeness. Governing ourselves rightly, in humility, we'll help others by our example. Rising above mere words, one silent example of Christliness in the midst of say, a disturbed crowd can quiet the commotion and help to restore peace.

It's evident that any pretense of humility that would disguise the very opposite state of thought does not advance but retards our growth Spiritward. Genuine humility is found in the honest example of a mother and father as they tenderly care for their children, in their ceaseless, prayerful patience, emanating from divine Love. It's found in the tireless efforts of those who devote their lives to helping others. It's expressed in innumerable ways by all who daily strive to express the divine nature and to yield to God's wise government.

Mrs. Eddy observes in Miscellaneous Writings, "Experience shows that humility is the first step in Christian Science, wherein all is controlled, not by man or laws material, but by wisdom, Truth, and Love." Each day provides a new opportunity to prove the truth of these words and thereby benefit ourselves and humanity.

I PETER

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

I Peter 5:6, 7