The Father's way
HAVE you ever found yourself wondering about the names of streets? It's a pleasant diversion that helps break up the monotony of long drives. Most street names are very prosaic, while others are highly imaginative.
A very unusual sign arrested my attention as I traveled along an unfamiliar route some time back. It marked a short street named ''Godsway.'' While speculating about its origin I suddenly found the name addressing itself to me as both a rebuke and a challenge.
For several weeks I had been trying to make a decision that involved several people besides myself. The choices seemed quite complex. I was happy with my work, which had come about as the answer to prayer, and which gave me the opportunity to be of service. Yet there were family members who needed me elsewhere. I longed to do free-lance work, but pressing financial commitments made this appear to be an impossible dream.
Although I had been praying earnestly for guidance, I often found myself weighing the merits of the various options that were open to me. But this anxious analyzing only resulted in frustration and in a very annoying physical trouble. The street sign had alerted me to the need of stilling my fearful thoughts so that I could be more receptive to God's government.
Christ Jesus gave us a clearly marked signpost when he said, ''The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do.'' n1 Mary Baker Eddy, who discovered and founded Christian Science, defines ''Father'' as ''eternal Life; the one Mind; the divine Principle, commonly called God.'' n2
n1 John 5:19.
n2 Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 586.
FollowingJesus' example, and recognizing God alone as the source and governor of our being, as infinite divine Mind, we're better able to discern the right path.
Clearly, Jesus was conscious of His unity with the one Mind, and this enabled him to heal sickness and sin. Through humble prayer we too can turn to the Father and expect healing results. Right decisions can be made, for this Mind never errs, and the Father's love is always present, giving needed guidance.
At first there appeared to be many stumbling blocks as I endeavored to walk more consistently in the Father's way. Self-will had to yield to God's will. Nor could pride and self-glorification travel this road.
Above all, there was need of much forgiving. Resentment about past unhappy events was the greatest obstacle of all. When I clearly saw that God had known nothing about these unhappy events, and that in fact as a result of His care I had come safely through them, I was able to let the past go completely. Then the way became clearer. A wonderful sense of the Father's closeness enveloped me. Gone was the burdened feeling of having to make a decision without His guidance.
The mental discipline involved kept me well occupied, and I suddenly realized that the physical difficulty had vanished. As it turned out, there was no need to choose among three alternatives. It became possible for me to remain where I was and still fulfill my family obligations, and to pursue my ''impossible'' dream. I could never have foreseen such an outcome.
Unlike the short lane I had passed in my travels, God's way has no beginning and no ending. Here the Father's love dissolves the mirages that the human mind perceives as stumbling blocks, and here we can walk in confident security. Daily Bible Verse Unto thee O Lord, do I life up my soul. O my God, I trust in thee . . . Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old . . . The meek will he guide in judgement: and the meek will he teach his way. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. Psalms 25:1, 2, 4-6, 9, 10.
