Are we victims of a worsening era? Many may believe so. But we can see through Christian Science what is going on—Truth stirring human thought to its depths—and can be hopeful and confident about it. Although matter and unrelievedly material values are perhaps being explored and experimented with more now than ever before, many are concluding from their own disappointments that this is not a satisfying direction in which to go. With keen spiritual perception Mrs. Eddy says: "This material world is even now becoming the arena for conflicting forces. On one side there will be discord and dismay; on the other side there will be Science and peace. The breaking up of material beliefs may seem to be famine and pestilence, want and woe, sin, sickness, and death, which assume new phases until their nothingness appears. These disturbances will continue until the end of error, when all discord will be swallowed up in spiritual Truth."Science and Health, p. 96;
There are demands on us as Christian Scientists. We may need willingness to exchange the comfort of familiarity for the stimulation of preparing for tomorrow's needs and opportunities. We can think today for tomorrow by opening out our understanding of Science. As mankind's dilemmas, arising from the absorption of human thought in matter, become more complex and baffling, we can be confident of more general willingness to explore metaphysical solutions.
The need is to offer humanity a more clear, attractive option to materialism. In self-forgetfulness we can address ourselves healingly to the larger issues of today, including worldwide economic problems, widespread famine, and brutality and inhumanity. By our own perception of the relevant metaphysical realities—of the omniscience of Mind and the universality of Love—and of our commitment to them, we help colleagues and friends begin to see solutions. And there are always solutions to mankind's strife, because God is Love.
