When is enough enough?
These are times of unprecedented growth throughout the world. Robust economies have brought the promise of new opportunities, the breakthrough of new technologies, and the introduction of new services and products. Yet with all of this, some people are still left with the feeling that it's not enough. They're searching for something more.
And for a large number of people, times aren't so good. Despite the prosperity they keep hearing about, there's no sign of it in their lives. Trying to anticipate all of their needs and how they'll meet them, they worry that tomorrow they may not have enough resources to see them through. They, too, are wondering if there isn't something more.
Too often the temptation is to see these issues - and their solution - solely in material terms. If something good appears to be missing from life,
it can seem that the primary need is only for more money or gadgets or something. And yet there is a deeper, overarching need we all have for living meaningful lives, for stability, for purpose, hope, trust, intelligence, satisfaction - for all that can be gained from spiritual ideas.
And so the solution to feeling there is something good missing in life is very much a spiritual one. "God gives you His spiritual ideas, and in turn, they give you daily supplies," observed Mary Baker Eddy, who founded The Christian Science Monitor in 1908. She proved this by rising up from poverty and virtual homelessness to a full and immensely valuable life - one in which she helped others. "Never ask for to-morrow: it is enough that divine Love is an ever-present help; and if you wait, never doubting, you will have all you need every moment" ("Miscellaneous Writings," pg. 307).
What sometimes discourages us is the appearance that we're separated from God, the source of these ideas. Our eyes tell us that we're the ones responsible for keeping clothes on our backs. We're the ones who have to build a life of satisfaction. We may believe we're pretty much on our own - mortal beings, who at best can only hope that there's a God somewhere, who, when we're in a pinch, will look down upon us and help out.
This is a misunderstanding of God. God is eternal Spirit, infinite Love, the all-knowing divine Mind. A growing understanding of God gives us the incentive and opportunity to do the best job we can and to be the best man or woman we know how to be.
Our efforts grow in productivity and reward as we come to realize who we actually already are - God's wholly spiritual image, the complete and satisfied idea of Mind. Mind, not matter, is the source of real substance and satisfaction. Perfect Love, not a distant or inattentive deity, provides everything we need. Christ Jesus assured that "your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him" (Matt. 6:8).
It is possible for you to have enough good because it is possible for you to pray. Prayer - loving and listening to God - reveals the truth that you were never apart from divine Mind. That you coexist with God.
Whether you happen to be riding a wave of economic prosperity and yet are not finding enough satisfaction in life, or you are drowning under a wave of debt and don't think you'll have enough funds to stay afloat - or you're somewhere in-between - the fundamental need is the same: greater devotion to God and attention to His spiritual ideas which are, this moment, available to each one of us.
What you discover as you pray may be a fresh way to use a skill, a better way to handle a relationship, more patience or resolve, a resource you hadn't considered before, a whole new direction for your life, a way to expand your education, or perhaps a different approach to some task. The possibilities for good are limitless and fulfilling. God, Love, is here, providing the right ideas to meet all needs.
This is the divine economy in action. The coin of this realm is spiritual ideas, and without a doubt there is always enough.
Do not I fill heaven and
earth? saith the Lord.
Jeremiah 23:24
(c) Copyright 2000. The Christian Science Publishing Society
