EARLY in her experience as a student of Christian Science, one was freed from lung trouble by her awakening to exalted purpose, and by the realization of the healing power and protection of selfless desires and holy aims. While her thought was still unawakened to God's purpose for her, she had drifted into the current of self-seeking, and had become disappointed, discouraged, and diseased. These conditions she now awakened to see as phases of the mental temptation to think of fear and self; and, as though touched by a mighty power that ever leads upward, thought was lifted above human fear.
What a marvelous transformation then took place! How like a spring morning were the sweetness and light of the purpose to bless all mankind which unfolded to her consciousness! What could more perfectly bring about a constant renewal of life and joy than the mental rising to perfect purpose with each dawning hour! Could one ever be more greatly blessed? Nothing could bring truer protection from the restlessness, sorrow, fear, and disease which come from evil or mistaken purposes; for through the inspiration of holy purpose one quickly sees the counterfeit purpose of evil, knows quickly whether a thought is a message from God to be earnestly heeded, or a worthless suggestion to be instantly rejected.
In Ephesians we read, "When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive." Enfolded by a constant desire to praise God, we triumph in good; and the true purpose to bless all mankind shines with a light which forever dispels the darkness. To have our mental horizon enriched and completely filled with views of loveliness, of love for God and man, is to bring into captivity every evil suggestion that would bind thought to earth.
Tenderness unspeakable accompanies the inspiration of holy desire, and through the selflessness of purified love one can feel his brother's need. Because of the very depth of the joy that is within him one knows how truly all mankind has need of spiritual bliss. One who truly walks with God is enabled to lift others, and help them to free themselves from false beliefs. He companions with the good which others express, and together they may rise and walk in sweet union.
Spiritualized thought forever praises God and feels the heavenly influence which is leading mankind to know the sanity and the wholesomeness of generous desires and unselfed giving. Such thought can entertain only the desire for universal good, a continual desire to have all mankind at peace. Dwelling in love, one is completely shielded from hatred and jealousy. He is untouched by evil thoughts, for he sees as real only the man of God's creating. One whose aim is to be truly helpful is never resentful when he is unjustly criticized or condemned; for his instant prayer is to hold in his own thinking the true concept of another who, not yet having attained to the joy of holy purpose, needs the tender touch of redemptive love. In her Message to The Mother Church for 1902 (p.17) our Leader says, "Consult thy everyday life; take its answer as to thy aims, motives, fondest purposes, and this oracle of years will put to flight all care for the world's soft flattery or its frown."
He who dwells in the protection of an exalted purpose might be likened to one stationed in a lighthouse tower. He does not go forth to enter into the struggling ship, but ever tends the light, that it may guide the ship safely to shore. His right desire gives strength and joy and protection; he stays to see the voyagers in peace and comfort, joy and safety, such as he has found. Strong in this purpose, he joys and triumphs with them as they are saved.
Let us look in upon the morning of one to whom comes the sunrise of exalted purpose. Instantly on awakening he fixes his gaze in Truth, in good; he sees to it that his thought is glad, so that he may pursue his day with no burdened sense. He endeavors to lift his thought of himself and of the world, and to realize that no burden can rest upon his or his brother's shoulders. He sees his affairs under divine control, so that only what God gives can come into his day. He takes time to realize the glorious significance of "morning," as defined by our Leader in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p.591): "Light; symbol of Truth; revelation and progress." Thus the irradiance of Truth continually dawns anew for him. Each day then brings to him increasing aspiration, inspiration, illumination, glorifying his every moment. Trusting in God throughout each passing hour, he is strong in joy, firm in peace, and joyous in victory; for this is the will of the Father for him and for all. Morning has a glorious meaning for one who knows that God reigns; and even when the world is arguing for depression, care, want, the light of his understanding is shining through this mist of false belief and revealing to him the unchanging harmony and presence of the great Giver of all good.
The purposeful Christian Scientist knows that if all men understood God, everyone would of his own choice follow the path of joy and light; and the student feels the need of helping to awaken mankind to the falsity of the errors which would continually strive to be heard above good. As one lives in this desire, errors of belief do not drag him down or hinder him, for the armor of holy purpose, fashioned with Love's resistance to evil, is his protection. As problems present themselves through the day, he sees in them opportunities for overcoming error and thereby glorifying God.
The value of uplifted purpose was once proved to a student of Christian Science who was having a vacation in the country. A trip of three hundred miles had been planned for the following day. On awakening in the morning she found her thought clouded by the fear of fatigue, and of thus preventing the fullness of enjoyment for others. Instantly she recognized this as an opportunity to overcome fear; and as she turned to God she heard the words of Scripture, "Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus." As she listened closely, it came to her that this means to do all to the glory of Mind. With this, all suggestion of fear disappeared; for she saw that if all activity is in Mind, then the day's experience of living in God could not be touched by the suggestion of error—all would be governed by Love's unfoldment, the consciousness of God's presence. Thus it was proved; and the day's end found her joyous in victory.
The one who makes it his constant aim to see only good as real, loses nothing of good, wherever he goes; for his purpose is ever to gather and ever to give, ever to see the glory of God expressed in all things. He spends no time dwelling upon the false testimony of material sense, but denies and destroys it. He sees much more of good than ever before, because his thought is ever in search of good; and he never allows his thought to be blinded by yielding for an instant to the temptation to dwell upon the unreal. The reflection of God, good, is what he is seeing and knowing. Throughout the day he is shielded from voicing that which is careless or which offends, for praise to God is continually in his heart. "His delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night." Because he yearns for progress, his mental footsteps hasten past the suggestions of ease in matter which would bid him tarry a while. When suggestions of self-condemnation and inability whisper to him, he remembers the words of Mrs. Eddy (Miscellaneous Writings, p.120), "A mighty victory is yet to be won, a great freedom for the race." Aroused by this message, he turns from evil suggestions to declare the truth of God and man and law. He is protected from arguments of discouragement by the manifold opportunities enfolded in an earnest desire to bring more of heaven to mankind. The joy of success no longer evades his grasp, for in humility and love he sees and expresses God's purpose for him; and in the light of divine wisdom he no longer foolishly trusts in or fears the weakness of human plans and wishes, ways and means.
Let us pray that the true value of holy purpose may ever appear to us; that we may ever remember the holy mission of Christian Science; and that gratitude may ever deepen our love for God and man! Our purpose determines our every thought and act. How blessed are we when our feet are shod with a holy purpose!
Most statesmen agree that godliness, sobriety, virtue, and character are national assets. These are fruits of the preaching of the gospel, which is the power of God unto righteousness. But the fruits will not be found, unless that preaching is heard and heeded.—
