FOR many years the writer, while living on a country estate, had the opportunity of watching the efforts of young storks to fly. With a frightened fluttering of the wings they ventured at first just a little above the nest, each day increasing their efforts and flying somewhat higher; but it was only after several days that they ventured to fly beyond the edge of the nest. The mother bird, attentively standing by or flying in close circles around the nest, encouraged the young ones, lovingly helping and protecting them. In a few weeks these early efforts were crowned with success, and the young birds flew easily and safely over the countryside.
How often, since becoming a student of Christian Science, has the writer recalled these attempts of the young storks at flying, and considered her own spiritual progress in the light of the lessons she learned there!
Our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, points to the ever-presence of the true protection of divine Love in one of her poems (Miscellaneous Writings, p.389; Poems, p.4), where she says:
"O gentle presence, peace and joy and
power;
O Life divine, that owns each waiting
hour,
Thou Love that guards the nestling's faltering flight!
Keep Thou my child on upward wing
to-night."
What are the wings which are to bear us upward? They are exalted thoughts, illumined by Truth and Love, which come to us and abide with us as our consciousness is prepared to receive them. We have the task of carefully and persistently preparing ourselves for this exalted state of thought. Knowing the high goal which calls us, we must daily make greater and holier efforts, in order that we may be lifted upward into spiritual realization of the truth about God and man in His likeness.
On pages 511 and 512 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy writes, "The fowls, which fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven, correspond to aspirations soaring beyond and above corporeality to the understanding of the incorporeal and divine Principle, Love." Yearningly the Psalmist sings: "Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. ... I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest."
At every turn material sense would try to prevent mortals from freeing themselves from their limitations. At times the attempt to gain freedom from that which hinders and limits us through belief in so-called material laws and false concepts of life and happiness may seem difficult and laborious. Fear may try to halt us; danger may seem to beset us; and inactively abiding in subjection to so-called false laws and their supposed protection may seem to be alluring. How unwillingly we lift our thought even a little above the edge of the seemingly protecting nest, or materiality, which binds us with fetters and limits our progress! Fearfully we arise when the helpful, yet compelling voice of Truth calls, inviting us to action. Tardily we obey the call, and slowly do we spread our uncertain wings,—our doubting and faltering thoughts,—unused as we are to conscious spiritual activity, and lacking confidence that we can accomplish the task before us. We should understand, then, that we are not alone, but that unlimited divine Love protects and directs us, and that our continued efforts toward spiritual aspiration will assuredly lift us into the true sense of life and freedom.
Through a trying human experience a student of Christian Science once learned to recognize the urgent necessity of giving up looking for satisfaction in human desires and hopes, and of relying entirely on the guidance of Truth. After he had laboriously broken away from false, limiting notions, and directed his gaze confidently to God as his only helper, he saw how easily and blissfully spiritual development opens to the receptive thought. What before had seemed impossible, what mortal sense had held as difficult and tormenting, was easily solved through the natural operation of divine law when he had willingly given up his own will in deciding the question; and not long afterwards he recognized with profound gratitude that this period of seeking and struggling had been one of the wonderful experiences of his life.
On page 242 of Science and Health our Leader writes: "There is but one way to heaven, harmony, and Christ in divine Science shows us this way. It is to know no other reality—to have no other consciousness of life— than good, God and His reflection, and to rise superior to the so-called pain and pleasure of the senses." Do not these words tell us clearly and emphatically what we must do to experience spiritual progress? Jesus once said, "Many are called, but few are chosen." Why did he say this? Not because God's grace and goodness are not ever ready to bless each and all alike, but because few mortals are willing to adjust their thoughts and deeds completely to the law of God, good, and to practice faithfully what they have recognized, thereby partaking naturally of the divine blessings.
Our unselfish and beloved Leader, alone and misunderstood, undertook her spiritual flight in the realm of divine Mind in pursuit of spiritual ideals which to many seemed enigmatical and illusory, and which were accordingly ridiculed and rejected. Resolutely trusting to divine guidance, uninfluenced by human opinions and doubts, she won for herself marvelous spiritual enlightenment, and was thereby enabled to bring to a world bound in the fetters of sin and sickness the revelation of the Christ, Truth.
Remembering her devotion and loyalty, should not we prove our gratitude by being obedient to the teachings and admonitions which she gives us in all her writings, and by carrying them out according to her inspired guidance, even though we may not fully recognize their deepest significance and the loving and wise guidance contained therein?
Let us understand that it is only false limiting belief that is at fault if we fail to make progress, and if we do not gain such complete freedom as we may rightfully desire and expect. No individual, with whatever love and compassion, can carry out the necessary unfoldment of another's trust in God. Each must do this for himself; and in the measure that one is conscious of spiritual ability, and acts according to it, mental fetters will be struck off. Trusting in the protection of divine Principle, we shall no longer seek refuge in so-called material security, but in spiritual security. We shall no longer build upon our own strength, and then hesitatingly try to utilize it. We shall no longer take chances and experience disappointments and a sudden breaking down of our courage, as was the case as long as we relied upon, and were afraid for, ourselves as mortals. Our spiritual flight will result from steadfast reliance on spiritual law, lifting consciousness above all the evidence of the senses hitherto accepted as real.
Full of gratitude, the Psalmist sings: "How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God."
