Yes, we can make it. We can because we have a reason to be there—a reason based on divine Principle. Our teachers accepted us for Primary class instruction in Christian Science because they judged us ready to receive more of God's Word. His Word teaches us that all are His sons and daughters, free and unlimited expressions of His being.
Class instruction for many of us was a giant step in our spiritual education, enabling us to demonstrate more of the Christ in helping ourselves and others. As we use this instruction and cherish it, its influence grows in our lives. Our yearly association meeting is a time of rededication and great inspiration, encouraging us to move forward with more consecration and with greater desire and ability to heal.
These meetings, nurturing the student's spirituality, are essential to his continual progress. So, one shouldn't be surprised at the carnal mind's resistance; this may appear as a whole list of justifiable reasons why we can't be present. But because we know we are really the freeborn children of God, reflecting His unlimited nature, we can be faithful to this provision for spiritual growth by regularly attending the meetings of our own association.
How can we make it when it looks impossible? No appointed task that God calls us to is impossible; so we should credit the possibility, remembering that "with God all things are possible."Mark 10:27; When we honestly long to grow spiritually and to be obedient by attending our own meetings, divine Mind's inspiration will show us the way.
Our desire is so very important. All barriers fall when, through obedience, we honestly seek the Christ. It is not the riches of earth nor human will that enable us to attend and reap the blessings of these meetings but the humble, hungry heart, ready to hear God's Word. Spiritual preparation, an expectancy, a pure desire to grow in demonstrating the Christ, enable us to be there.
When the arguments of impossibility present themselves, we need to trust with humility in divine Love's government of our lives. We must climb the mountain of revelation to see the truth that defeats the temptation to believe ourselves limited mortals, trapped in time and space and governed by mortality. Desire to be free and obedient students of His Word will reveal specifically what we need in order to destroy the claims of willfulness, fear, lack, and self-justification.
Prayer to be honestly humble and obedient unfolds Mind's perfect economy in our lives and the possibility of being in our rightful place. "When a hungry heart petitions the divine Father-Mother God for bread, it is not given a stone,—but more grace, obedience, and love,"Miscellaneous Writings, p. 127; Mrs. Eddy tells us. Turning our thought to Spirit, we'll refrain from rushing about in merely human preparation. We need to follow our Shepherd's leading. Just as Moses courageously followed God's directing, though to human sense his task seemed impossible, we'll find as did the children of Israel that we are led out of bondage on our way to the promised land. Like the Israelites, as we too listen for and follow His angels, we will see the impossible become the possible and actual.
The desire to really study and be prepared to attend our own association opens the way. But what if the suggestion tempts us to believe, "I don't have the money to go" or, "I'm too busy to study, and anyway the office won't let me have the time off" or, "Well, I won't miss much; I'll go next year." These are all suggestions of animal magnetism, which, if accepted, would tend to block spiritual regeneration and growth.
Consecration to spiritual growth is one way to destroy the tempter's voice. Preparing during the year—loving and growing with your teacher's assignment for you— is a beginning. As one continues to pray to be prepared to receive the full blessing of his upcoming association meeting, he has already dedicated himself to being there. Nothing will prevent him. Increasing our gratitude for Christian Science and humbling ourselves for God's tender instruction prepare our thought—we are hungry for more spirituality. The spiritually prepared are consecrated and alert, not letting anything cheat them out of being in their appointed place.
Planning, then, is really spiritual preparation. The human need of being there is met by divine Love, just as it was for the children of Israel. When the Israelites had the humility to trust God's care and provision for their lives, they were ready, and their way was provided. As we prepare our hearts to receive "more grace, obedience, and love," our way, too, will be provided. We won't be held in bondage by the limiting beliefs of bankbooks or calendars. We won't allow the unreal claims of mortality to blind us to God's perfect provision for each one of us. As sons and daughters of infinite Mind in our true being, we know we are complete and have everything we need. We know our needs are already supplied.
Like Moses, we have to be firm in the truth and not be influenced by mortal opinions. When it appeared the Israelites were running out of water, they were terrified by the suggestion of dying of thirst in the desert. They were tempted to forsake their goal of the Promised Land and to return to Pharaoh's bondage. But Moses wasn't deceived by this false sense testimony. His inspired thought protected them. He firmly held to his trust in God's constant provision for all His children. Turning from mortal fear to trust in God, Moses was guided to "smite the rock."Ex. 17:6; Fresh water poured forth, proving their supply was present. We can prove this too.
An individual felt it was time to make his plans for attending his association meeting, which was to be held several thousand miles from where he was living. When he looked to his bank account and expected income, it seemed there just wasn't going to be enough. So he wrote a letter to a teacher in his own city asking for an invitation to visit her association. He felt justified in doing so and remarked to his wife, "See, we just don't have the money." Before he sent the letter, though, his wife encouraged him to turn to God to be sure what he was doing was right.
The very next morning he received a letter from his own association, asking him to usher and to let them know right away if he could accept this assignment. Immediately he replied, "Yes, I'll be there." A great release came over him. He felt unlimited and free of any restrictions. The subtle, self-justifying claim of lack was exposed, for he saw that since God had always taken him to his association before, He certainly would continue to do so as long as he—the student—continued to trust in His care. A great desire to attend his own association was restored. Two days later he was told he had income due him that was rightfully his. All he had to do was claim it. The necessary supply was already there.
Another year this same individual was spending several evenings working on that year's assignment. He found the preparation very inspiring and looked forward to the meeting, even though it was six months away and across an ocean. Again, trusting God to show him the way and knowing that there are no obstacles to God's plan for His children, he wasn't surprised when his wife called him with great news. She said she had just been asked to teach a course for a few weeks in that very city. Her assignment included the day of his association meeting. All their expenses were paid, including transportation.
As we joyfully prepare ourselves each year, we won't be fooled by the claims of the carnal mind's resistance to our continuing spiritual education. We will see that we are really God's unlimited children, and therefore we can prove we have the capacity to be obedient and faithful members of our associations. Our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, points out: "All God's servants are minute men and women. As of old, I stand with sandals on and staff in hand, waiting for the watchword and the revelation of what, how, whither. Let us be faithful and obedient, and God will do the rest." Mis., p. 158.
Yes, it is possible to attend our own association meetings. We can rely on God's law of spiritual progress to open the way.
