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KEEPING OUR FEET ON THE GROUND

From the April 1946 issue of The Christian Science Journal


"Oh, but we must keep our feet on the ground!" This exclamation generally indicates the belief that pure spirituality is less than completely practical, that there must be a little mental reservation in our stand for Truth. Is this not a bit like saying we must not go too far in declaring two times two is four; might it not be well to say three and ninety-nine one hundredths? The mental stand for absolute truth does not mean that one should live beyond his power of demonstration. It does mean that he realizes the imperative necessity of not allowing his thoughts to stay on the ground with his feet, content with seeking the fulfillment of personal desires or with ease in matter, and that he realizes the God-demand for accurate scientific thought, increased spiritual awareness, and continual growth into celestial being, substantial spiritual reality. While we do not walk beyond our demonstration of what we know, we do not allow earthbound feet to keep us from seeking higher ground, farther horizons, freer steps, for fear we shall not be practical, or because we have not tasted the joys of ascending consciousness.

Let us be sure our feet are never on the ground of materialism, strewn with so many nets of compromise, set by animal magnetism to catch the unwary. Let them rather be planted on the solid rock of Christ, Truth, divine Principle, than which nothing can be found more practical. What can be more practical than intelligence, divine intelligence, which waits to guide each forward step in wisdom, out of the mists of matter into the clarity and practicality of pure spirituality? When consciousness is the pure reflection of Love, Principle, we may be sure that none of our steps shall slide. Scripture has stated it clearly: "The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide."

In keeping "our feet on the ground," then, let us be sure of the kind of ground on which they rest, and where it may lead us. Let us be sure they are not placed on the quicksands of human emotions and personal affections or personal prejudices. aims, and desires, seeking pleasure in material modes. Surely there is nothing practical or satisfying about this. Unless we would be drawn into their engulfing, impractical falsities we must rise to the high, clear, and firm path of spiritual understanding that divine Love alone satisfies, that Spirit alone attracts, that Principle alone governs, that Mind alone produces harmony. On page 454 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mary Baker Eddy writes, "The understanding, even in a degree, of the divine All-power destroys fear, and plants the feet in the true path.—the path which leads to the house built without hands 'eternal in the heavens.' "

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