"RADICAL RELIANCE"

ON page 445 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy are the following momentous words: "You render the divine law of healing obscure and void, when you weigh the human in the scale with the divine, or limit in any direction of thought the omnipresence and omnipotence of God."

There is a depth of meaning in this statement which stands out clear and practicable. Mortal mind would tempt us to "weigh the human in the scale with the divine;" and in so far as we yield to this temptation we are dismayed by the confusion of thought which ensues. At times, when working through some seemingly difficult tangle and divine Principle has said to us, "Rejoice in the Lord alway," have we not heard another voice suggesting that we attempt nothing radical; for who can rejoice "alway"? Yet this is just what Paul admonished. Either we are obeying and resolutely going on in God's strength, or we are hesitating and compromising with a false sense not yet overcome. Thus the argument of discouragement creeps in, and we wonder why we do not emerge more rapidly from erring beliefs.

There is a sure way to harmony: it is the Christ-way, the way of obedience and rejoicing. It is an easy way, a way of peace. Mortal mind has placed many detour signs along this beautiful highway of obedient trust in God, good, and it is well to recognize them as false indicators; else they will delay our journey from sense to Soul.

A little child who for the first time heard the words "God is love" asked with joyful expectation, "Does He love me always, even when mother says I'm naughty?" When assured that in her real being as God's child she could never be separated from the all-loving Father-Mother God, she ran back to her play with the happy song on her lips: "'God is love.' The whole world is filled with wonderful love." No dissenting voice could mar that child's harmony, for she had risen to the obedient trust which rests in divine Mind.

In the sixth chapter of Daniel we find a marked example of steadfast obedience to Truth. A network of error, in the form of a conspiracy, had seemed to gather about Daniel. Many phases of evil confronted him; yet we read that even after he knew the decree had been signed, violation of which would lead to the lions' den, "he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime."

Daniel wasted no time in asking why he had to endure so great a trial; he expressed no pity for himself, and no criticism or condemnation for his brother man. He was occupied in praising God and rejoicing in His ever-presence and power to save to the uttermost, even as he had done before this problem appeared. There was no wavering in his understanding of Truth or in its application. His clear realization of the one God dispelled the belief of human hatred, animal ferocity, fear, limitation, and left nothing in his thought but the kingdom of God, manifested in spiritual protection. This became so apparent that all those present, the king and his people, could see it and glorify God.

If we would always remember to rest in the truth and know that God is All, then, through every experience, we should be filled with grateful rejoicing. Sometimes we find ourselves mentally drifting instead of knowing the truth clearly; but this can quickly be remedied by an honest self-analysis and a right sense of values. We cannot be too radical in our trust in God, for every advancing step we take in the right direction brings us nearer to our goal, the realization of perfect harmony.

It may be well occasionally to ask ourselves, What are we really seeking—the clearer vision of God's all-ness, through a truer obedience to divine Love, or a more comfortable experience in matter? If the former, then we are finding our way out of the mortal dream into the realization of conscious spiritual dominion here and now. So-called mortal mind subtly argues that we cannot rejoice or be grateful until after we are healed, and that we can then be thankful and happy. Here is where we need to work the more earnestly to reverse the false testimony of the physical senses; for, as in the case of Daniel, our liberty depends upon the radical knowing of what is actually true now, and the refutation of all evil power opposed to Truth.

The writer of Hebrews bids us "come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." What is this but an invitation to "come boldly" into the consciousness of the Christ and enjoy good will, peace, health, and all good? Then shall we find that, as Mrs. Eddy declares in her spiritual interpretation of these words in the Lord's Prayer, "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors"— "Love is reflected in love" (Science and Health, p. 17). When we realize more and more fully that every thought registers for good or evil, we shall be more alert in entertaining only thoughts that are born of God. Then the door of our thinking will be barred against suggestions of worry, criticism, gossip, fear, sorrow, lack, and opened wide to love, joy, peace, patience, faithfulness, right expectation, gratitude.

Our dear Leader gives us these impressive words in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 117): "We always know where to look for the real Scientist, and always find him there." Truth is ever drawing us nearer to the great heart of Love, and we have only to realize more and more clearly the omnipresence, omnipotence, and omniaction of the one Mind, in order to bring out the expression of harmony in our daily activities.

How long would a false claim last when faced with such steady radical knowing and doing? Is it not heartening to know that when confronted by even the most difficult problem we have a truth so absolute that if applied whole-heartedly, and clung to persistently, it will open our eyes so that we may experience the harmony we so much desire?

Jesus, our Way-shower, was radical in his dependence on God. He made no compromise with error, but bade every form of evil depart as nothing, that God might be glorified in His kingdom. If we would have his victories, we must walk in his footsteps, proving each day that we are Godlike in thought, word, and deed. Then, no matter how difficult may seem the problems we are called upon to solve, we shall have much cause for rejoicing. As we relax from the high tension of false responsibility, we sense the sweet presence of Truth and Love, and with unutterable peace have only the one desire, to go with Love wherever it may lead us. Like Isaiah, we rest in the truth of ever present good: "The Lord God hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. . . . For the Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed."

Multitudes of earnest students are proving that continuing steadfastly in spiritual realization breaks the mesmerism of human fear and limitation, revealing here and now the ever-presence of divine reality. This is "radical reliance on Truth" (Science and Health, p. 167), and it will always bring us the true answer. We are being led by a beautiful path to the goal we love. In reality we are already there, for man is the immortal idea of God. It is a way of peace and plenty, a way of rejoicing and dominion; and it is only false material sense that would tell us the way is too radical. As one of our hymns so tenderly expresses it: