Starting right

WHEN we have to make a decision or when we have to take action in any situation, is there a way we can avoid being too hesitant or too impetuous? There is. The need is to feel assured of God's goodness, to realize that we are loved and always cared for by Him. As His offspring we live securely in His spiritually perfect creation, governed by His wisdom. This is the divine reality of being, contradicted by appearances but nevertheless true, as Christ Jesus proved through his healing works. And a perception of this truth is invaluable when we're faced with decisions. Impetuosity or hesitancy stems from a belief in an uncertain material future; from fear that we are going to miss out if we don't take precipitate action or that we'll do the wrong thing if we take any action at all. As we turn to God in prayer in all circumstances, putting out human will or a sense of insecurity, we are starting right. If it is essential that immediate action be taken, we can trust the direction of our creator, the one perfect Mind. In some instances a period of patient waiting can be beneficial and may be required before the right way is clear to us. On such occasions we can rejoice in the Psalmist's statement ``Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him.'' 1 Certainly our patient waiting should never be a negative, apathetic approach but always a spiritually inspired expectation of good. We need to be sure our motives are right so that all concerned may be blessed. In the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, writes, ``Right motives give pinions to thought, and strength and freedom to speech and action.'' 2 As we purify our motives, as we put out willful, human planning and trust divine direction, we find that we are able to say and do the right thing more naturally and more consistently, and we find the way ahead becomes increasingly clear to us, however obscured it may have seemed at one time. When this occurs, we must be prepared to take with confidence the steps revealed to us. A businessman retired, and this opened the way for the promotion of others. He decided to visit his former office only when his business affairs made this necessary. But he felt he might still be of use to his former office and colleagues even in a subordinate position, and he prayed about this. Visiting the office one day, he found that much work needed doing because of a shortage of staff. He offered to help, and his offer was gratefully accepted. During the day he was approached by a senior official and asked if he would be prepared to serve the office on a part-time basis. This he did, and it proved beneficial to all and did not deprive anyone else of needed employment. This was proof to him of the importance of right motives, of prayerful, patient waiting, of being willing to take the right action when it is presented. He had seen the wisdom of the counsel in Hebrews ``Let us run with patience the race that is set before us.'' 3 It is indeed a blessing to know that good alone is the reality because God is good and infinite. Looking to Him, conforming our thoughts and lives to His law of good, we find this good expressed in our lives. We find that it comes to us naturally, without any sudden, ill-considered action on our part or any hesitancy to accept what is always present and ready to be revealed. 1 Psalms 37:7. 2 Science and Health, p. 454. 3 Hebrews 12:1.