Stories of human effort abound in the Bible, but Christ, Truth, alone reveals the significance of this effort. Moses had to strive to understand the message of the burning bush and Jacob the spiritual meaning of Peniel. Some of Jesus' disciples had to learn the lesson of obedience to the voice of their Master in the case of casting their nets, not from the motives of discouragement and fear, but from enlightened trust. They had to make an effort to turn from reliance on material methods to dependence upon the Christ.
When their thoughts were once again turned to hopeful obedience, their human efforts were effortlessly rewarded. They had regained the remembrance of the Christ, perhaps remembering Jesus' words (Matt. 14:27), "Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid." Such is the Christly message of divine Love's effortless power to heal, save, provide, restore, and happify.
Students of Christian Science should never forget the need for human labor and effort. However, in trusting Love's guidance, we need never be afraid that we will take wrong human footsteps. A very simple illustration of this point is that a ship cannot be steered unless it has some motion. A moving ship has no choice other than to obey its helmsman.
