At a time like the present, when the world seems steeped in unrest, beset with uncertainties and perplexities, and when mankind seems mesmerized by a sense of confusion and helplessness, many turn to the Bible for guidance and glean from its inspired pages assurance of God's loving direction. Probably few passages in the Old Testament have been more widely read and studied than the familiar and encouraging verses from the book of Proverbs (3:5, 6): "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Today Solomon's exhortation stands like a beacon light of hope and comfort, directing and guiding mankind out of the morass of error to a sure release from all the trials and tribulations "that flesh is heir to."
Throughout the Bible we find many instances of release from danger and difficulties of all kinds when those in need turned wholeheartedly to God and trustingly relied on Him for guidance and direction. Undoubtedly the foremost example of radical reliance on God was our Master and Way-shower, Christ Jesus, who came not only teaching and preaching, but demonstrating the power of God to heal all the ills and woes of the world. Surrounded by selfishness and hatred, Jesus went about doing good, undisturbed and undaunted, continually impressing on his followers that God's promises are always kept. He trusted God, acknowledging Him in all His ways, and his unselfed purpose enabled him to say (Luke 22: 42), "Not my will, but thine, be done."
Through the study of Christian Science many are proving that God's power to heal, direct, and deliver from all evil is as available today as it was when Jesus was here. They are proving that God, divine Love, is ever at hand to lead them step by step over the rough and stony places of material sense to the good ground, the fertile and fruitful lands of Truth. They are also proving the truth of the wise words of Solomon that practical trust in God includes no half-hearted attitude. Jesus was the true Way-shower. He went all the way. There were no halfway measures with him, no swinging like a pendulum between matter and Spirit, no sense of false responsibility. He trusted all to God, the Father, and confided in none other.
In the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mary Baker Eddy states (p. 254,) "When we wait patiently on God and seek Truth righteously, He directs our path." When our problems loom large and unsolvable and we turn importunately to God in our helplessness, trusting wholly in His care, waiting patiently on Him, we are guided and directed along the right path. Trusting in God completely, however, means that we must be willing to go all the way—to make no compromise with medicine, to give no subservience to selfish human desires, to indulge in no willful human outlining, and to express no impatience.
Patience implies persistent expectation of good. As the individual humbly and persistently expects only good and looks only to God for direction, the necessary footsteps appear. "But," says Mrs. Eddy in speaking of God's care (ibid., p. 62). "let no mortal interfere with God's government by thrusting in the laws of erring, human concepts."
Sometimes even the well-intentioned and sincere student is temporarily led astray by the subtle whisperings of error. Some years ago a young student of Christian Science faced a problem that called for an immediate solution. She decided to turn unreservedly to God and trust in His care. She realized and declared His power and presence, knowing that since God is Love, she had nothing to fear. She felt happy in the knowledge that since God is the all-loving, all-wise, and allknowing Mind she could confidently leave the decision to Him. Quickly all sense of anxiety and fear was dispelled and wisdom clearly directed her to follow a certain course of action.
Just at that moment, however, a dear friend to whom she had confided her difficulty proffered some advice as to the solution of the problem. Instead of continuing along the path outlined by God. she followed the friend's personal advice. The result? Unhappiness, distress, and a sense of failure and frustration. But a valuable lesson was learned. Why turn to God in the first place if she did not mean to obey? Spiritual ideas are given to us to utilize, and obedience is requisite. In all humility we may listen to the loving counsel of a friend, but it is true wisdom to turn to God alone for the final answer to our problems. When God directs, it is always wise to follow. The path is always sure and safe when Love points out the way.
In the Old Testament we are told that Jonah was directed by the Lord to go to Nineveh. Jonah, however, had other plans, and we read that desirous of fleeing from the Lord, he took a ship in the opposite direction. How many of us today, like the fear-filled Jonah, are taking ships in the opposite direction to that indicated for us by divine wisdom, following what we choose to call our own working out, walking in the uncertain pathway of mortal mind instead of the safe path of God's appointing?
Jonah, however, we are told, in the midst of difficulties so great that his "soul fainted within" him, remembered the Lord, and was delivered. And again, "Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee," was the instruction of the Father. "So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord" (Jonah 3:2, 3).
Today, when we are tossed into a raging sea of affliction, when waves and billows of fear and doubt surge about us or the weeds of self-will and self-righteousness and rebellion hamper us, let us, like Jonah, remember the Lord! Let us turn to Him for guidance and obey His voice!
As the student referred to retraced her steps in humility and, like Jonah, walked along the path of God's appointing, harmony was restored and everyone concerned was blessed. How grateful she was to have learned the needed lesson of obedience! How grateful for God's goodness, guidance, and protection! She decided that henceforth she would listen to the voice of Truth alone and brook no other guidance.
Many are gratefully learning through the study of Christian Science to trust implicitly in the Lord and acknowledge Him in all His ways. They are learning how to entrust their homes, their businesses, their daily affairs to God, understanding Him as all-inclusive divine Love, ever present and all-powerful. The primary cause of human problems is a sense of separation from God, springing from the belief that man is mortal and material. Christian Science teaches that man is where God is, one with Him, spiritual, perfect, and eternal. Realizing this divine unity of Mind and its idea enables us to know the Father as not afar off, but present with us.
When in our human helplessness we turn to Him for the harmonious adjustment of our problems, trusting Him completely, we have taken one step in the right direction. Then, waiting patiently and seeking diligently the truth of man's oneness with God, we not only shall grow in grace and understanding, but shall find the correct answer to our problems. Then we can declare, as did Mrs. Eddy when she turned away from human counsel to the divine Mind for guidance (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 347): "I see the way now. The guardians of His presence go before me."
