There is much said today about demands—demands upon our time, our purses, our affections. So frequent and imperative are these demands that often it is difficult to keep up with them, and, what is far more important, to evaluate them properly. To the individual so beset, a confused state of thinking may result; but confusion is always the result of a belief in minds many, and the Christian Scientist will be able to handle it. He knows that at all times his thinking must be kept clear, unhampered, unhurried, so that he may be ready to answer the behests of God. To keep ourselves free and our thinking clear, we may well meet each human demand as it presents itself with two questions: What is it that demands? If I respond to it, can I bless?
In tracing the derivation of the verb "demand" we find that it comes from the Latin demandare, meaning to give in charge, entrust. Our brave Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, girds us with the strength to challenge every demand made upon us when she says in the textbook of Christian Science, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 184), "Truth, Life, and Love are the only legitimate and eternal demands on man, and they are spiritual lawgivers, enforcing obedience through divine statutes." If, when faced with some new demand, we hold this statement clearly in thought, we shall be able to judge the demand rightly. If it is based on Truth, quickening with Life, warming with Love, then the necessary time, ability, and occasion will be available for us to fulfill generously the charge entrusted to our care.
If, on the other hand, we feel rushed or strained, and the demand, though apparently a worthy one, seems but one more duty added to overfull days, it should be clear that we need to turn to God in prayer. At this point we should stop and seek Love's wisely ordered direction. Hurry is always a form of mesmerism and has to be seen as such before it can be replaced by the calm clarity which is the condition for reflection, and reflecting is the essential activity of God's children. Truth is infinite and ever present. It does not hasten to a place to do a specified work. It is always there and everywhere accomplishing its beneficent purpose. Man. reflecting Truth in all his actions, expresses the peace and order and precision that cancel error by depriving it of any place in his affairs.
