In the media we hear a lot about celebrities and stars. These people often seem to have what we don't, perform what is impossible for us, and exemplify what others would like to be and have. As we look at the attention society gives them, we may even come to believe that certain people can have more real worth than the rest of us in the "general population," and that such worth is out of reach to us.

I had a small experience that reminded me how important it is to look beyond the world's view of worth. I was living in a big city. I had been walking around town and noticed a woman asking for money along the curbside. Those she asked for change often ignored her completely. Finally, she turned to me and just smiled. I smiled back and said to her, "They don't seem to hear you, do they?" This prompted a refreshing discussion.

One thing she said impressed me a lot. She said that she refused to steal, because she wanted to keep her head above the water of dishonesty. She also mentioned that she believed in a loving God and that she made an effort to attend church. We concluded together that she had true wealth, the riches of Principle, Love, in that she would not steal from others and that she had the desire to understand the loving God. I think we both left that conversation with a better sense of who we really are.

This experience also reminded me of a comment in the book Science and Health by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, that helps me think about fame and value in a different way: "Take away wealth, fame, and social organizations, which weigh not one jot in the balance of God, and we get clearer views of Principle. Break up cliques, level wealth with honesty, let worth be judged according to wisdom, and we get better views of humanity" (p. 239).

What enables us to see what is really of value in ourselves and others? The ability to discern true value comes through spiritual sense, that understanding which originates in God, Spirit. Spiritual sense helps us recognize that we are not mortal personalities with talents that others have or don't have. Each one of us is actually the spiritual and complete expression of God. Understanding this truth begins to free one from the bondage of a material sense of identity with its false labels, such as being worthless, unloved, ugly, homeless, jobless, or handicapped. The spiritual fact is that we and all we come in contact with lack nothing—whether the ability to do good or to appreciate it.

Christian Science teaches that because we are the expression, reflection, of God, infinite good, we can manifest only good. There is no mediocrity in spiritual reflection, no good qualities missing. All of God's love, beauty, creativity, harmony, and intelligence are at the disposal of each one of us. There is no aspect of God's creation that is untouchable or inaccessible to man.

How do we cultivate the spiritual sense to recognize this perfect creation now? The Bible states, "Believe ... and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31). Referring to this and other passages on the subject of faith, Science and Health states, " 'Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief!' expresses the helplessness of a blind faith; whereas the injunction, 'Believe ... and thou shalt be saved!' demands self-reliant trustworthiness, which includes spiritual understanding and confides all to God" (p. 23). To the extent that we see ourselves, and everyone else, as the children of God, including only perfection, and to the extent that we strive to live this each day, our experience will increasingly fall into line with the quality of our thought. As our thought is filled with and holds to the spiritual model, the divine healing Principle brings our lives into conformity with that model. We find this model in the example of Christ Jesus.

Jesus proved through his healing works that we can lean completely upon Spirit. It is clear from his life that neither fame, fortune, genetic lineage, nor acquisition makes us what we are. God is the only Father and the source of man's identity and supply. As the expressions of God, we are each loved of God. Each has a niche that cannot be filled by anyone else. An understanding and demonstration of the relationship we have with God results in our seeing more of Truth right here in daily experience.

The fame associated with celebrities, or so-called stars, is a mortal phenomenon. Genuine esteem and worth come solely from God, Spirit. If we translate fame into a spiritual quality, it must involve the recognition of only one source of good, the one Ego. All of the expressions of God would have to reflect God and know the precious value He sees in all that He creates.

If we happen already to have an abundant feeling of worth or supply, we need to be very clear about where it comes from—from God. Otherwise, we are building on unstable ground, and our supply and our success may well be gone tomorrow—just as a heavy storm can take away a house built on an unfirm foundation, no matter how pretty the house is. If we feel that we create or exude good and that we are valued while others fall by the wayside, we are mistaken. The Bible states, "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves" (Phil. 2:3).

In humbly seeing others as they really are in God's likeness, we learn that great talents and good looks in anyone can point to the spiritual goodness and beauty that are included in everyone's true being. Spiritual good is not exclusive or randomly given but present and consistent. Whatever appears to fall short of perfection is a misapprehension of reality. In truth, all of us have and express only good, and holding to this understanding enables us to yield to truth and help ourselves and others feel the joy of true worth.

LUKE

If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.

Luke 11:36