Whatever lives progresses, for progress is the law of Life, God. Mary Baker Eddy says in her book "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 117), "A progressive life is the reality of Life that unfolds its immortal Principle." Humanity longs to progress, but needs to learn what progress is, whence it comes, and the laws governing it.
Without Christian Science, which defines and demonstrates true progress, one is likely to go along with the worldling's estimate of progress and to think of it in terms of matter. The carnal mind's estimate of progress follows the line of matter—more and better material possessions, personal importance, physical power—and mortals are satisfied with this ideal. Matter is thus the measuring rod of progress and prosperity in worldly thought. But Mrs. Eddy says in her sermon "The People's Idea of God" (p. 1), "Every step of progress is a step more spiritual." Those who follow her are willing to take the steps which demonstrate man's real life as God's expression of unfolding good. If one feels that his human experience is at a standstill, that he is not expanding in usefulness and activity and freedom, he should remember that the truth of progress is available and can be demonstrated as a law of destruction to the sense dream of a limited, stagnant, unprogressive life.
The progress of the real man, God's likeness, involves the perpetual unfoldment of good, of intelligence and wisdom, love and purity and health. All good is individualized in man, and it is through man that God continues to unfold His infinite nature and substance. The creative divine Principle acts through law to supply man with every manifestation of beauty and order and goodness, with all that Principle includes. Thus man can never come to a point when he ceases to progress and prosper. One gathers from Christian Science that real life is never static, never inactive for a moment. Progress not inertia, activity not quiescence, is inevitable in real life.
