Headed in the right direction? Let God steer.

The multitude of pressing problems humanity is facing today can make us feel overwhelmed. We yearn to feel some sense of certainty that we, and all humanity, are headed in the right direction – toward health, unity, peace, progress.

I find encouragement in Christ Jesus’ approach to fulfilling his gargantuan task of bringing healing and salvation to humanity. Instead of feeling helpless, Jesus found certainty. He was certain of two things: He could do nothing through personal will; but he could accomplish all that was required of him by listening to and yielding to the will of God. He said, “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me” (John 5:30).

Jesus’ example shows how letting God, not human will, govern our thought – our consciousness and reasoning – can enable us to make healthy progress in our own lives, and also be an influence for good in the world. Referring to God as divine Love, Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer of the divine Science underlying Jesus’ teachings, once wrote, “We have nothing to fear when Love is at the helm of thought, but everything to enjoy on earth and in heaven” (“Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896,” p. 113).

Human thought is actually the steering mechanism of human experience. And when we let God steer our thought, amazing things can happen.

I learned this lesson in a very vivid way when I first started studying Mrs. Eddy’s book “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” along with my Bible. My thought was opened to the true nature of God as infinite Spirit, Love, and Life, and to my (and everyone’s) spiritual identity as Love’s perfect reflection.

This inspired me. It changed my thinking. God became real to me. I then realized that a growth that had been in my body for two years was not part of my true, flawless, spiritual nature – and the growth instantly disappeared. This was my first of many proofs of how God “steers the body into health” (Science and Health, p. 426) when we accept perfect God and His perfect creation as the reality of being.

Human will would try to gain control over circumstances and people. But human will can’t be relied on to steer thought in a direction that benefits everyone. Divine Love, on the other hand, is always present to steer our thought in the direction of universal well-being, guide us through stormy times, and bring us into a healthier experience.

When one individual lets divine Love pilot their own thought, their life reflects the universal good will of God. This reflection of divine Love can inspire others and lift them into healthier ways of thinking. And the impact of this healing influence on the collective body of human thought regarding the coronavirus, race relations, government policies, etc., has no limits.

It’s so encouraging to know the good that can come as we silently yield our own thought to God’s good will and guidance. To begin with, it gives us peace of mind and the ability to listen respectfully and compassionately to others’ views, learn what their concerns are, and respond unobtrusively in a healing way. Rather than taking sides when it comes to disagreements with others, we can silently trust with absolute certainty that each one of us is a child of the one universal God, good, who is quite capable of steering us together in unity.

Think of the rays of the sun acting as one body of light brightening the whole world. Each of us, as the spiritual reflection of divine Love, belongs to one body of spiritual light bringing God’s healing influence into the world. As you and I allow our own thought to be steered by divine Love, the inherent unity we have with God and with one another shines more brightly for the benefit of everyone. And in this way, the healing influence of divine Love serves to steer humanity together in one body of health and progress.

Of that you can be certain!

Some more great ideas! To hear a podcast discussion about how becoming more conscious of God’s loving presence – even for a single moment – can have a healing effect, please click through to the latest edition of Sentinel Watch on www.JSH-Online.com, titled “One moment of divine consciousness brings healing.” There is no paywall for this podcast.