Safe while driving
WHETHER or not we happen to travel on the more congested highways where acts of violence have occurred, there does seem to be a good deal of concern about the dangers of taking to the road. The underlying uneasiness many have may stem from the feeling that somehow we are at the mercy of other people who could do something rash. Must we succumb to fear for our own and our loved ones' well-being? Fortunately no, because there is a reliable source of protection. Wherever we have to go, we can have peace of mind and freedom of action by understanding something of man's inseparability from God.
Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, writes in the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, ``The history of Christianity furnishes sublime proofs of the supporting influence and protecting power bestowed on man by his heavenly Father, omnipotent Mind, who gives man faith and understanding whereby to defend himself, not only from temptation, but from bodily suffering.''1
The urgently needed spiritual understanding of man's indissoluble relationship to God is accessible to us through prayer and through study of the Bible in the light of Christian Science. The Scriptures make clear the spiritual truth of God's supremacy and man's safety in His care. As we begin to glimpse this truth and understand it, we're able to carry on our activities without gnawing anxiety. The Bible promises, ``The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by him; and the Lord shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders.''2
To comprehend the marvelous fact of man's perfect unity with God, good, is to see that fact expressed in our lives, to experience His protecting care, whatever the circumstance. We can never actually be outside the sphere of divine Love's protecting, saving influence. As Mrs. Eddy writes, ``Existence, separate from divinity, Science explains as impossible.''3
I found it reassuring to consider truths such as this during a long car trip we made recently. In fact, because of reports of increased highway violence, I made a point to pray thoroughly before we started out. I drew on the spiritual fact that the sole governing force of the universe, including man, is God, divine Principle; on the fact that God maintains His spiritual creation in perfect peace and safety. I realized in prayer that there is never a moment when His divine law is not operating, nor can man be deprived of its power. I affirmed that man, God's child (and that included the true selfhood of everyone on the road), is not subject to supposed laws of chance or misfortune. God's government of His offspring is all-inclusive; He does not share His power with another creator, for there is none.
Such prayer serves to bring our thought into harmony with divine law, and we experience tangible proof of His care. Needless to say, we had an unusually smooth trip, with no uneasy moments whatever. The teachings of Christian Science bring out the comforting fact that God is the only power -- the all-wise, all-directing, and all-seeing divine Mind -- and that you and I as God's offspring continuously reflect His control. But we need to grow in our understanding of this truth in order to prove it in every facet of our lives. Understanding God's government of man, we won't fear the possibility of being victimized by the foolish or uncontrolled behavior of another motorist. And we'll help lessen such occurrences in general.
The Way-shower, Christ Jesus, certainly relied on God in every situation. It was his absolute conviction of being inseparable from his Father that empowered Jesus to demonstrate his dominion over evil. Jesus said, ``He that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone.''4 Nor does the Father ever leave us alone and unprotected; rather, He keeps each one of us continuously secure in His omnipotent care. Understanding this, we can feel safe while driving.
1Science and Health, p. 387. 2Deuteronomy 33:12. 3Science and Health, p. 522. 4John 8:29.
You can find more articles like this one in the Christian Science Sentinel, a weekly magazine. DAILY BIBLE VERSE: Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3