Here is a question whose answer affects the health and well-being of everyone. Where does our true identity dwell—our life, our intelligence—yes, even our very substance? The Apostle Paul addressed this question in his speech in Athens. See Acts 17:28 . Quoting him in part, Mary Baker Eddy writes, "The real house in which 'we live, and move, and have our being' is Spirit, God, the eternal harmony of infinite Soul." Pulpit and Press, p . 2.
This is not a dream house for the future, nor is it a mental vacation spot, a "getaway" from daily frustrations. It is the ever-present, divine Mind, where each one of us actually abides. This is why nothing about our real house can ever deteriorate, grow old, or be unprotected. Dwelling in perfect Mind, man, as spiritual idea, reflects qualities of Mind, which are unaffected by so-called material laws and conditions. As we allow ourselves to be governed by this divine Mind, man's true identity comes to light. The human conditions and situations in our daily experience come more visibly under the control of the harmony of Soul.
It is difficult for the human mind to conceive of a house that is infinite, without boundaries or limits. As we begin to understand, however, that our real dwelling is in Mind, Spirit, the realization follows that home is with us everywhere and includes an ever-expanding sense of good. One might say it is furnished with all the attributes of God, everything we could ever need or want—health, satisfaction, dignity, authority, self-worth, abundance, unfailing vision and strength. The sum total of these attributes, individually expressed, constitutes our true identity. Perhaps this was what Christ Jesus referred to when he said, "The kingdom of God is within you." Luke 17:21. Not even the tiniest element of good can ever be withheld from us, because our true being is in God, and we are actually the reflection of God.
