God's command to the prophet Samuel that he go to Bethlehem to find and anoint a successor to Saul met with reluctance. Samuel was sorrowful that Saul, because of his disobedience to God's directions, was to be deposed as king of Israel. He feared retribution should Saul learn of his mission, so he demurred, but in vain. "The Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Beth-lehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.... And I will shew thee what thou shalt do."I Sam. 16:1, 3; Indeed, God did lead Samuel to the right person to anoint with his oil.
Human experience is filled with journeys to Bethlehem. The need in Samuel's day was for a new king. For us, it may be the apparent need for a new job, a different locality, a whole new scene of operation, and, like Samuel, we may hesitate at the thought of how much is involved. Perhaps we are still emotionally tied to the present situation, even though obviously we have outgrown it. So we ask ourselves if we should go or stay. If we go, do we really have the know-how to make things come off intelligently? Will we have enough funds, a worthwhile job, a place to live, and friends? And what will the outcome finally be for everyone concerned?
Into this mental turmoil the teachings of Christian Science come on feet of mercy to one willing to trust God to point the way. How welcome is the assurance that any move made in obedience to God's guidance will lead only to greener pastures of happiness and success because, in reality, He is already there, providing everything essential for the harmonious unfoldment of the new experience! Trust takes on a new dimension. We are confident that God will either open the way or reveal the rightness of remaining where we are.
