During a trip through beautiful northern California in the springtime, a party of motorists stopped beside a wide, green meadow to repair a tire. While this work was being done, a young mother and her little boy wandered down the road gathering wild flowers.
Flowers of many varieties were blooming in the sunlit field, and the satiny golden blossoms of poppies reflected the glory of the sun. Bees and butterflies and other winged insects hovered above the flowers, flitting from one to another in search of honey. Wherever the flowers grew, the winged creatures found them and dipped into their bright chalices for sustenance. The busy little hunters not only were receiving food for themselves, but were performing a function valuable to the plant as well, for they were bringing pollen from one blossom to another, thus aiding in the propagation of the plants, which in turn would nourish many insects. The little boy laughed at the clumsy antics of a big bumblebee which tumbled about in a small poppy cup, returning again and again to gather more of the nectar.
Several months later, during the solving of a trying church problem, the mother, a student of Christian Science, thought of the example set by the flowers and insects in that California meadow. She thought of how the flowers in the meadow, in their rightful place, draw the insects so necessary to them, through their fragrance and beauty, and by laying up a store of nectar with which to feed them when they come. Where they all come from no one could accurately guess. Some varieties of insects have been known to visit plants many miles from their natural habitats. Wherever they are needed, wherever there is something for them to receive, the supply and the demand are fulfilled. The flowers which do their work adequately are found by the little denizens of the open. Sometimes one flower may receive several calls from the same insect, as in the case of the bumblebee, and then perhaps a butterfly may come along and rest within the sheltering petals. The sun shines impartially on every plant, and in the evening each one is bathed in dew, all having equal opportunity to be lovely and useful.
Students of Christian Science who are striving to practice the great work of healing sickness and sin should remember that God gives to everyone who is worthy of the privilege the joyous opportunity to serve. Whether to human eyes the work be monumental or humble, it need only be well done to be acceptable. One does not have to move from place to place in order to find greater opportunities to serve, nor are there ever too many workers for the work that needs to be done.
All through Bible history those who had something to give found also the occasion to give it. Joseph, in prison, had opportunity to serve another while both were in bondage, and after two years, when a need arose, Joseph was remembered by the one he had helped, and was then called to solve the king's problem. There is no detailed account of how he spent the years in prison, but surely there were others there who were comforted by the presence of this godly youth.
From near and far people flocked to Jesus, counting no effort too great, willing to risk hunger and thirst for the wonderful privilege of imbibing true inspiration from his words. A few followed him even to the foot of the cross, and would not be turned away, for they remembered the Master's benedictions and love.
Long before Mary Baker Eddy discovered Christian Science or wrote its textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," through her great love for humanity she was able to heal a baby brought to her by a trusting mother. Little children responded to her smiles and her kind words to them and rewarded her with gifts of flowers. Later, when she started teaching and preaching the glad tidings of Jesus' message that the kingdom of God is indeed at hand, her fame was spread by those who had received benefits from this new-old religion until now her followers number into millions, and include people from nearly every walk of life.
Mrs. Eddy loved all those who did God's work and sought in every way to help them. She was so sure of man's place in God's kingdom that she knew nothing could ever crowd her out of it. And her love for others was so unselfish that she gladly labored that others might be blessed.
Those practitioners whose only ambition is to "bind up the brokenhearted" never lack work to do. They are too busy to look around to see what others are doing, and their knowledge of their rightful place in Mind enables them to yield graciously in the matter of church offices. Their great care is to help others.
The greatest tenderness should be shown to each seeker after Truth. Our Leader writes (Church Manual, Art. VIII, Sect. 15): "God requires our whole heart, and He supplies within the wide channels of The Mother Church dutiful and sufficient occupation for all its members. "Only the kindest co-operation can ensure worthy and ample fruitage. Mortal mind would have us forget this, and give occasion for Mrs. Eddy's rebuke on page 138 of "Miscellaneous Writings" "For students to work together is not always to cooperate, but sometimes to coelbow!"
The biggest task that could be assigned to anyone is laid out for each individual, namely, to strive wholeheartedly to be more like the Wayshower, Christ Jesus. He vied with no man for place and power. He welcomed to his side the humblest followers, little children to whom the disciples would have said. "Trouble not the Master."
Jesus may have been sorely tried at times, yet as long as men showed a disposition to follow and to learn of him he bore with them, rebuking them lovingly and making his own life a model of virtue and gentleness for them to emulate. How many nights Jesus may have spent, praying that love might win men from the dark mazes of misunderstanding and envy and fear! Or who knows what love may have touched the heart of the Roman soldier when Jesus, rebuking Peter's act, healed the ear of one who had come out to take him?
Rich or poor, high or low, saints or sinners—Jesus' love encircled them all. In his outpouring of love he lacked not anything needful. Nor was he ever deserted for long by his true followers—those who had grasped something of his teaching. A testing time came when they fled from him, fearing for their lives, but his radiant affection drew them back, strengthened by their repentance. And at length they were able to go forth, preaching the gospel, healing the sick, and raising the dead, fearless of the scourge.
By never yielding to resentment, self-pity, or envy, Jesus proved a great saying and left it as a promise for all mankind: "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." It is through spiritual ascension to a higher plane of thinking and doing that Christian Scientists draw others to the truth. Jesus said, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heaven laden, and I will give you rest."
