He who really wants to progress in spiritual understanding will give time to his object. Now time may be considered like gold; it may seem scarce, but if we honestly examine our lives we find that we usually find time to do what we want to do, and if we want to give our precious hours to the gaining of spiritual understanding, we shall do so. Spiritual Life in Christian Science is not a theory. It is the only Life, and in endeavoring to live in accord with this Life we proceed as we would in any practical undertaking. We must be clear and definite in reasoning to find out where we stand and where we want to go, what we are doing that seemingly hinders progress, and what we are omitting that would accelerate progress. To accomplish this mental order requires time and thought. A vague, complacent belief that we shall somehow get somewhere must give way to a mental consent to endure honest questioning, discipline, purgation, effort. He who resists the arguments of mortal mind to yield to mental inertia, who daily fights mental slothfulness, who insists on the right of man to think, helps greatly himself and the world. If one will take the time and make the effort to express his purposes and ideals in exact terms to himself, he makes his starting point plain and is at all times perfectly clear as to the object of his living.
The clearest possible statement of theory, however, is only a preliminary step to definite right action. Instead of being content from year to year with a general higher average, we should demand of ourselves concrete examples of growth, which might to one person mean a less critical habit of thought, a kinder practice with neighbors, a shedding of sanctimoniousness, a purer concept of God, a higher understanding of Christian Science treatment. In defining our ideals to ourselves we have doubtless given expression to a very high form of human aspiration, but unless these ideals fit into everyday living, the mere defining of them is useless. The demand of Mind is for activity. Just as there is one God, or Mind, there is one true mental action, and the motive that prompts the doing of a humble loving deed is inspired by the same Love that heals the sick. We never have to wait to love. We can, if we will, bring joy and healing in simple ways to overburdened lives. In the poet's words:—
A little love, a little trust,
A soft impulse, a sudden dream—
And life as dry as desert dust
Is fresher than a mountain stream.
