IT is our task to learn in patient humility that Christian Science can be made our own only as we demonstrate it step by step, "here a little, and there a little." A step firmly taken each day is the safe way to make the journey from the valley of human beliefs to the heights of spiritual understanding. Taking our steps in true humility, and always for the glory of God, we resist more and more spontaneously the suggestions of error, in the little problems as well as in the larger ones. Thus progressing, and following in the footsteps of the Master, we work quietly in Galilee or go courageously into Judea, as God, divine Mind, directs; we distribute the loaves and the fishes as obedient disciples, or we do the "greater works," as we are able, at wisdom's call.
The obedient are always glad to listen for the "still small voice" and to seek the guidance of God, divine Mind. When divine Love brings opportunities to prove Mind's omnipotence, then, taking the preparatory mental footsteps, one follows the Way-shower and proves spiritual man's at-one-ment with God. While working for the glory of God at wisdom's bidding, one can be in no situation, no condition, in which one may not measurably demonstrate divine Love to be the only power and presence. But always our utilization of the presence and power of God must be with the prayer, "Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory." Neither vainglory nor idle display, neither pride nor personal sense, has any place in true demonstration. Only the qualities of thought that are of God, the one Mind, can truly express the Mind "which was also in Christ Jesus," and bear the fruits of Spirit.
One who as yet has gained but an imperfect concept of the teachings of Christian Science may sometimes invite problems which humble reflection of the wisdom of divine Love would recognize as the voice of error tempting one to cast himself down from the pinnacle. Jesus quickly and wisely detected this temptation in the seemingly plausible arguments of mortal mind in his wilderness experience. Personal sense, disguising its source and motive in the use of the letter of the Word, argued, "If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone." Jesus, alert to his duty to his Father, and demonstrating that Christ-consciousness which is ever active, ever watchful, replied, "It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." His conscious unity with the Father was not something to be vainly and carelessly put to the test.
