WHAT one of us has not gone on from day to day, possibly from year to year, praying, "Not my will, but thine, be done," and then awakened to find that it was after all but a prayer of the lips, a mere repetition of words, though they seemed to have been uttered in all sincerity and wrung from the profoundest depths of the heart. Realizing this, can we not look back and clearly discern the reason for limitation or desire unfulfilled? How needless the mistakes, but how rich the lessons learned through hours of trial! One may study the letter of Christian Science for a long time, may even prove its Principle in some degree, and then find that human will and ambition have had a large place in one's life.
When we learn that achievement depends not on competition with others, not on self-assertion or the power of aggressive thought, but that each idea of the divine Mind, in its own peculiar and individual expression, may attain the very highest and deepest experiences possible to its existence, by just letting its own inherent light "so shine," what need is there for worldly ambition, and what gain through human will? Our true individuality is that by which we best know of God. Why do we not, therefore, seek to increase our knowledge of God, and thus enlarge the scope of the thought and activities which constitute our individuality? Sooner or later experience teaches us that we may seem to gain the whole world and yet heaven— harmony—be afar off. Human endeavor cannot exceed the might of "God with us," nor can it accomplish in its efforts what the quiet, peaceful assurance of His loving protection and wise direction can do.
It is the human will that would force us to the intersections of life and frighten us into believing that we must make decisions in human affairs with a responsibility overshadowed by possible disaster or uncertain success. Love leads us gently by the hand if we go Love's way, one step at a time, and urges upon us no height which we are unprepared to scale. The divine Mind directs in but one way, and illumines that way, leading us "from glory to glory" until we have reached the perfect day of spiritual being. If, then, we are striving and find our course not one of increasing brightness, but rather one of confusion and forced decisions, we may well look within and test that prayer of the lips, "Not my will, but thine, be done." The great and only decision each of us is called upon to render is that decision which directs us to clasp close Love's hand, and in seeking first the kingdom of Love we find all things added unto us. The way becomes illumined, we find that our burden is easy and our yoke light, and God takes care of us and of our part in the great human drama as well.
