God's government at election time in Britain

The election campaign here in Britain is in full swing in a whole new and exciting way, and voters anticipate election day May 6. For the first time here voters can listen to high-profile media interviews and debates with the major political candidates as is done in the United States. These interviews give citizens an opportunity to scrutinize the candidates more closely and get a feel for their style of leadership. This year the concept of change features largely in all aspects of the campaign, with each candidate promising that he or she would change things for the better.

Britain, like most areas of the world, has had a year of economic uncertainty and instability. There’s a need for stability, where people feel confident to save or spend or invest.

As exciting as it is to watch the campaign, it is equally comforting to know that we are not at the mercy of one type of human government or another, but of a higher government – a spiritual one, in which God is the only head. In “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” Mary Baker Eddy, who discovered Christian Science, described God’s nature, in part, as all-knowing, all-seeing, all-acting, all-wise, all-loving.

As we look out from the spiritual consciousness in which God is known as the “all-knowing, all-seeing, all-acting” infinite Mind, our lives begin to gain the stability we long for. No matter what the form of government may be, God is the ultimate authority. As the Apostle Paul wrote to the early church in Rome, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God” (Rom. 13:1).

Many people have a political party that they support and wish to have come into power. People also sometimes fear the unknown or worry about how another party’s policies could affect their livelihoods, businesses, homes, savings, schools, or workplaces. But turning thought to the spiritual consciousness of God as the only governing power brings the stability that anchors every aspect of our lives in a higher law that is always there and always operating.

Another passage from Science and Health says, “Be firm in your understanding that the divine Mind governs, and that in Science man reflects God’s government” (p. 393). This statement is in the chapter called “Christian Science Practice,” so it has a clear connection to Christian Science healing. And governments often need healing as much as individuals – which is why our prayers really do matter.

From the simple focus of thought and prayer on God’s allness comes a powerful truth that governs our actions and outlook. We realize that we can trust God’s government to care for every aspect of our lives.

The writer of this proverb surely knew the importance of trusting God instead of depending on human individuals: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Prov. 3:5, 6). He must have known that God was all powerful and that he could trust and obey His laws regardless of what was going on around him.

We also can trust God with our day-to-day lives and know that we are always safe in His care. Things around us may change, but God’s love for all His children never fails. It is constant. And knowing this, we help bring about the right government to bless all people. God is the infinite Mind who is supreme everywhere, and nothing good can be excluded from our lives under His care.