THE chief tendency of the modern times is a restless striving for something, the possession of which it is believed insures happiness, and makes life richer and more meaningful. In this quest mortals entirely overlook the fact of man's present possession, by reflection, of all God's bounty. Since the desire for material gain is uppermost, little attention is given to contemplation of things of the Spirit. Yet, when the situation is soberly faced, all must conclude that the things which are seen, at most, are but temporal, and ultimately will pass beyond mankind's grasp. The deep purport of Jesus' words, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away," is quite unheeded, and the quest goes on in the mistaken belief that happiness lies in great possessions.
With the spiritually-minded, those truly seeking the light, however, the question constantly arises, Upon what may I lay hold which will never be taken away? And the answer is found, not in matter, but in Spirit. "Heaven and earth," as Jesus used the words, is the all-inclusive term for materiality, the universe of matter. Jesus foresaw the final disappearance of all material concepts, but his words, voicing eternal truth, were permanent, indestructible. Obviously, then, he who seeks the permanent things, something which will not pass from his grasp but remain forever within his conscious experience, must look to the Spirit, to the truth voiced by the Master; for there alone is permanence.
Once this thought is grasped, there may come an overwhelming desire immediately to lay hold of the spiritual and to lay off the material. So compelling does the yearning become that it seems the transformation must be accomplished at once. When the true idea of substance first breaks upon consciousness, the desire may become almost resistless to finish with matter, to be through with it and all its changeful conditions, and to cherish nothing but that which emanates from Spirit. Then it is that patience is needed. James' words, "Let patience have her perfect work," must be heeded. When we become convinced that we have been traveling in the wrong direction, we may decide instantly that the old road must be abandoned; yet to retrace our steps, to change our mental habits and outlook, is not the work of a moment. The process is that of transformation, and transformation of consciousness, through regeneration, is a problem not instantly solved.
