You are useful now

God needs you.

By Sharon Slaton Howell

THERE IS LIVING. And there is LIVING. One may feel that there is no longer a purpose in life, and that better skills, retraining, or further schooling is needed to again make a contribution to society. But the real need is often for a radical change in perspective. One thing that makes existence worthwhile and vibrant is being useful to our fellow beings, doing all the good we can every day.

Do you know that you actually exist to bear witness to God, your Maker, to reflect Him in everything you do—that you already are His loved and needed expression? Your purpose is spiritual; therefore it is always intact. This fact puts greater usefulness and productivity within immediate reach. As we accept the momentous truth about ourselves that God needs us to express His nature and being, and in fact that's why He created us, we see that the opportunity to lead a fuller and richer life can't really be absent. And this realization causes things to move.

One can, of course, go out and simply try to stir up more activity. But as many have found, there is a more effective path to useful living. Those who are familiar with the Bible and the writings of Mary Baker Eddy, the woman who discovered and founded Christian Science, have read of ways to overcome inactivity and uselessness. The words of Jesus, "The kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:21), show exactly where to find one's God given purpose. This kingdom, this absolute reign of God, is not dependent on people, places, or events. It is here now, within the true consciousness of each of us, which is a reflection of God Himself, the one perfect, divine Mind.

Anyone reading this article can use these concepts. Instead of starting with the end result of trying to go out and find various projects to keep you busy, be open to the divine guidance that is present right where you are; spiritualize your concept of activity, and this will meet your specific needs completely.

In assuring mankind of God's tender relation to each of His offspring, and of man's spiritual value, Jesus said, "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows" (Matt. 10:29—31). Each and every one of us is vital and useful because we are all God's offspring.

It is possible for each of us to manifest the inspiration and initiative needed to live more effectively. We can discern what creative effort is required. As Science and Health points out, "God expresses in man the infinite idea forever developing itself, broadening and rising higher and higher from a boundless basis" (p. 258).

Man's reason for existing is to reflect God, to express the spiritual qualities that make up his true selfhood. Realizing this, and enacting it, we find the zip and zing that a fuller life includes. And, we also find the unselfish love that is required. Instead of living only to receive good things, or to have other people serve us, we see that our primary purpose is to give unselfishly and to serve others. And doing this is never beyond the reach of any of us.

One thing that makes existence worthwhile and vibrant is being useful to our fellow beings.

Every time we bring harmony to a discordant situation or forgive an injustice, every time we love in the face of hate, every time we understand others by realizing that man's true being is God's spiritual creation and reflection, we are expressing our own worth and importance.

Nothing brings opportunity to our door more quickly than the desire to be useful to God and to our fellowman. With this holy aspiration, we will find our lives blossoming into activity that blesses more widely than we could have imagined.

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