The following was written for the French magazine Le Héraut de la Science Chrétienne, in response to France's run-up presidential elections, which are scheduled to take place later this spring.

THE RUN-UP TO ELECTIONS, a period such as France is experiencing at the moment, provides a good opportunity for taking time to consider our true government.

The media and society in general would have us think that the role of human beings, grouped together in a government and in a parliament, largely determines the conditions of our existence. Some insist that, beyond elected organizations, interest groups such as multinationals pull the strings of every citizen's economic well-being. On a quite different plane, others answer by declaring that it is our genes that govern our lives.

In each case, this "government" appears as something we are subject to—and, when we are dissatisfied with it, the possibility for change seems problematic. Hence, and quite legitimately, each one of us wishes to vote for the candidate, man or woman, and for the program, that inspires us with some hope.

This aspiration is not new. Many centuries ago, a perfect and comforting platform for harmonious government was written down in poetic language. In the Bible, the prophet Ezekiel takes on the role of spokesman for the Lord God, who is represented as a shepherd, tenderly watching over his sheep. Ezekiel states: "I will feed them in a good pasture... they shall lie in a good fold... I will bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick... and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land: and they shall dwell safely..." (Ezek. 34:14, 16, 25).

Economic security, housing, health, environmental policy, land security—it's all there! Idyllic, disconnected from reality, might one ask? It's helpful though to turn this question around. Why shouldn't divine intelligence, the origin of all existence, govern its own creation in order and harmony? Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of this periodical, wrote, "God creates and governs the universe, including man." And she added, "The universe is filled with spiritual ideas, which He evolves, and they are obedient to the Mind that makes them" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 295).

A universe of spiritual ideas, to which we all belong, without exception; a universe governed by a God who is wholly and uniquely good. How do we gain access to this consciousness of universal harmony? Through prayer. Our prayers to God certainly do not create such a universe, but prayer that is based on a sense of unity with our divine source enables us to see the good at work in our lives and in our environment.

On the other hand, thought turned exclusively toward mortal mind and matter—fixated on famine, terrorism, insidious diseases, epidemics—cannot discern the real, spiritual man in the image of his Creator. Humble, persistent prayer, which shuts out the allegations of material sense and is at the same time open to spiritual reality, allows us to glimpse and demonstrate, little by little, that economic, genetic "laws," which are the springs of collective hate and exasperation, can have no real hold on the "lambs" and the "sheep" of the Lord God. Each and every one of us on this planet, without exception, really is one of God's "little ones," as indicated in the first chapter of the Bible, made in His image and likeness.

Then who truly governs us? We can be assured that in reality we are not governed by mortal men and women, material laws, or by anger or fear. As prayer and the study of the Science of Mind reveals, it is the wholly good Principle, Spirit, or divine Love—the very origin of our being—that governs us. This vision enables us to see harmony reign in our days and well-being in our bodies. And, step by step, we will come to know that this Principle also governs our political leaders.

A better understanding of the divine Principle, and of our relation to Him, inspires anyone. When the time comes for the election, this will lead us to cast a vote for those who will best administer the affairs of the country for the good of all citizens, and of the planet. css