As we ascend, new obstacles ever present themselves to be overcome, new tests of our sincerity and earnestness appear. These should bring to us no sense of discouragement, but rather assurance that greater victories are possible to us.
Memory, with backward pointing finger, would bid us loiter mid scenes of satisfaction where in the past we drifted, perchance, with the tide of mortal sense, content in the ease of a dreamy inertness. While the future threatens us with difficulties insurmountable, with conflicts entirely beyond our courage and strength, we might be tempted by these sirens and listen to the apathetic suggestions of the past, or be intimidated by the threatening aspect of the future, did we not know, through Christian Science, that progress is the law of God (Science and Health, p. 233) that man, the awakening spiritual consciousness, is always progressing, that humanity's demonstration is ever making; that our growth is never finished, but ever advancing. This realization of the eternal activity of consciousness nerves us to higher endeavor and destroys all longing to return to past conditions however pleasant, because they are less progressive. If we measure ourselves honestly, yet with all humility, we shall find that the old conditions are completely outgrown, the sermons that once satisfied, the songs that once pleased, the delights we once found, have all lost their charm in the light of this higher altitude of thought. And hence we would not, if we could, surrender the demonstrable truth that comes to us to-day through Christian Science, and return to the vague beliefs of yesterday. As we realize that our consciousness of Principle is the measure of our manhood, we understand why St. Paul rejoiced in tribulation, and that each victory over sense gains the next ascent heavenward.
The question is not what did I yesterday? nor is it what shall I do to-morrow? but what am I doing to-day?
