What does the concept of structure mean to you? A building? A piece of sculpture? The fabric of government? Structure easily brings to mind impressions of steadiness, order, freedom from chaos or instability.
In light of such qualities as these, it is understandable why we may feel a certain strength, durability, security, when we ponder the spiritual nature of Church as Mrs. Eddy defines it: "The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle." Science and Health, p. 583. Clearly, she is directing our thought away from some sort of material "thing" to a profoundly spiritual sense of Church.
How natural it is through prayer to underpin our human institution of church with a firm and sturdy sense of this spiritual ideal. The more we understand of this divine idea, the more the activities of our church organization take on a spiritual flavor. But if our perception of structure rests only on this sense of fixedness (indispensable as it is), we need to broaden that perception. Otherwise we miss a vitalizing aspect—one that is essential. Yes, Truth and Love are fixed. They are changeless reality. However, this does not mean they are static or unprogressive. The action of Truth and Love is the very opposite of stagnation. Here is the authentic source of spiritual unfoldment. Truth and Love do have structure; they are timeless, perfect, free of disorder. Yet they are ever active, producing eternal renewal.
