A new field of study, futurology, is emerging. It is an effort to use existing developments to predict the future in an attempt to ease mankind's adjustment to the rapid changes of contemporary society and to foster determination of the future through deliberate, informed choices. Developments such as the routine transplanting of human organs, the widespread breakdown of hierarchical authority, the routine use of drugs to produce desired behavioral changes, and the determination of the sex of unborn babies are foreseen. These prospects are already in various stages of refinement and are considered forerunners of astounding developments that could have momentous impact on the nature of mankind and the physical universe.
Often the choices available are not attractive ones, and humanity seems reluctant to address itself to these hard questions. Some of the alternatives are frightening, and society seems ill-equipped to make wise decisions about the future. In addition, there is concern that society is already too complex and that things are out of control. But we may derive some comfort in recognizing that these predictions are based on empirical evidence—on what can be humanly seen.
Mrs. Eddy emphasizes an important point when she writes "Empirical knowledge is worse than useless: it never has advanced man a single step in the scale of being." Miscellaneous Writings, p. 234; Indeed, Mrs. Eddy presents in Christian Science a revolutionary scientific approach to the explanation of existence and the understanding of man, as, for instance, in this passage: "Material sense does not unfold the facts of existence; but spiritual sense lifts human consciousness into eternal Truth." Science and Health,p. 95;
The future need not intimidate us and make us uneasy. Neither the past, the present, nor the future is threatening when we understand that we are, in fact, spiritual ideas, existing in God's perfect universe in the eternal now. We read in the Bible, "Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ." Rev. 12:10;
The key to the future is our present state of consciousness. The clearer our perception that we are now the perfect image of the heavenly Father, the more secure are the present and the future. God is omnipotent, now and forever. There never was nor will there ever be a time or place when God, the Supreme Being, is not in absolute and complete control.
God is infinite Mind, the one all-knowing perfect intelligence. He is the sole source of all inspiration, and it is impossible for Him to conceive destructive or disruptive concepts. Man is not a creator; he is the recipient of God's divinely intelligent knowing. Man naturally and consistently expresses his innate capacity for good.
There is no real source of evil thoughts, no devil feeding mankind through the biological or physical sciences with heinous notions capable of destroying the race. We can confidently leave the government of the universe in God's hands.
Tinkering with the material body to improve health is like trying to change the profile of a shadow by manipulating the shadow. We must deal with the basic source, or cause, and the key element in regard to health is our acceptance of the spiritual fact that God is the only cause and creator. In Ecclesiastes we read, "Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions." Eccl. 7:29.
There are many important technological and scientific discoveries yet to be made that will result in more efficient use of energy and other benefits for mankind. We can express gratitude daily that the divine Mind is supplying inspiration to each of us all the time, thereby blessing all with the removal of barriers to progress.
Are you concerned that life is becoming too complex? If so, you can rejoice in the simple truth that your heavenly Father's infinite love comforts and blesses all mankind in a gentle, peaceful way. Contemplating God's all-power and infinite wisdom reveals His natural, uncomplicated completeness. We are then set free to venture forth without fear and to bring to the confusions and complexities of modern living the distinct, all-encompassing tenderness of pure Love.
If we are worried about the development of chemical-biological warfare or the so-called "genetic engineering" projects, we can strengthen our conviction that the infinite Mind supplies all ideas and that the divine Principle, Love, controls all activity. Man obeys only God's direction. We can, therefore, prove that we cannot become the unwitting instruments of evil, wreaking havoc and destruction. We can eliminate the threat of sinister forces by systematically cultivating our understanding of good's universality and refusing to believe in evil as real. As we perceive God's intelligent control, the right decisions will be made; and sooner or later all mankind will unite in a common bond for mutual benefit.
Although most discoveries hold the potential for constructive or destructive use, mankind has generally favored positive applications. While acknowledging new discoveries and inventions, Mrs. Eddy rejoiced that the one infinite Mind is the sole, source of inspiration, intelligence, and direction in individual as well as collective progress. As we alertly challenge material sense testimony and translate things into thoughts, our acceptance of the spiritual nature of man and the universe grows. The truth of being reveals man's perpetual peace and satisfaction. We can face the future confidently through the understanding of God's ever-present, tender care of His children—now and forever.
