The call of the Christ promises rest to the weary and heavy laden. To the heavy-laden, those who do not know whence they came, life and existence are a mystery, a matter of chance or fate. "Luck" seems to be a frequent word in the daily life of mortals; and the false sense of existence which it implies, is surrounded by fear and superstition, mortals believing themselves to be ever on the brink of some evil happening. Thus the dream of mortal sense goes on. always in the line of matter and materiality; and God is looked upon, more or less, as a great spiritual personage, who loves and hates, and gives and takes, in ever changing mood, so that mortals seem to be in constant suspense as to what may come upon them of good or of evil, and prayer becomes little more than a lottery.
In this confused medley of mortal thinking, one hears much about self possession, self-confidence, presence of mind. It is claimed that mortals may be educated to have control over what mortal mind calls "myself." But is this so? Can one ever obtain true self-possession and poise until he learns what true selfhood is? The nature of God and man being understood, to "be still, and know that I am God" gives courage and strength, and constitutes the only true self possession, giving dominion over all the earth—man's rightful heritage.
Christ Jesus, the Way-shower, manifested true poise and calm self control through his clear understanding of the allness of divine Mind, the only true God. He said, "I can of mine own self do nothing." There was no such word as "luck" to the master Christian. When an emergency presented itself, he was always in possession of the Mind of Christ, understanding that true selfhood which knows no fear and which gave him divine authority. With this authority he could point to the upper room furnished, to the money in the fish's mouth; he could raise the dead, still the tempest, and judge righteous judgment when mortal mind condemned and betrayed; he could remain calm and self-possessed in the judgment hall of bitter hatred and persecution. In all the history of Jesus' life and work we find no record of fear, panic, or loss of self possession. Instead, he was strong and fearless. Even in the seeming presence of death he said, "I knew that thou hearest me always." One cannot imagine him saying they would be lucky if they found an upper room furnished; neither did he place any reliance on human will.
