Assured of God's government
A Christian Science perspective: We can know and trust that God is the only power in control.
Today’s world could certainly use more of the confidence of the ancient psalm writer who sang, “For the kingdom is the Lord’s: and he is the governor among the nations” (Psalms 22:28). Clearly, this man had so much faith that God, the omniscient and omnipotent Mind, was in control and meeting his and all of humanity’s needs, that he rejoiced through song. What an example! And one that served me well many years ago.
In a previous career, I held a management position in a company where ethics, integrity, fairness, and kindness were frequently overshadowed by greed and self-righteousness. My natural inclinations to adhere to principled action and express joy often created a rub with the company’s leadership. Although I did good work, made significant contributions to profit margins, and had a loyal staff, more often than not I was harshly criticized.
For a long time, the faultfinding felt very personal. I couldn’t understand it, and I often found myself complaining about this unjust treatment around the watercooler and to family and friends. Rehearsing my dissatisfactions only made things worse.
Then one day – finally – I turned my attention to the psalm mentioned above. I started to realize that I, too, could trust that God, and God only, was governing, protecting, and nurturing everybody in this organization. Regardless of rank, we were all God’s equally loved and valued children, created for the glory of God. I could replace my frustrations and anger with my own songs of gratitude for the opportunity to support these individuals by cherishing them and myself as the pure and upright children of God we inherently are. It took persistence to maintain and really utilize this higher line of thinking, but it was worth the effort. I became happier, and consequently, my relationships with my bosses became more harmonious.
As I have looked back on this experience over the years, three key lessons continue to stand out. The first is that I learned I was never the problem nor were my superiors. Evil is never personal. The inharmony between us was the result of a false view of our real spiritual nature. As God’s children, governed by Him, we were all innocent. Prayer eliminated the false view and brought harmony to the situation.
The second was that I learned not to be tempted to participate in the proverbial watercooler conversations. Feeling God’s control, and using my time and energy to see the good in my fellow man, rather than harp on personalities and judgments, have proved to be far more beneficial to myself and others.
And the third ever-important lesson was realizing that if I want to see harmony manifested more consistently, I have to love in the way Christ Jesus taught, “That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:34). And he also instructed: “Cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:5).
Speaking to this requirement, the discoverer of Christian Science wrote, “He [Jesus] would insist on the rule and demonstration of divine Science: even that you first cast out your own dislike and hatred of God’s idea, – the beam in your own eye that hinders your seeing clearly how to cast the mote of evil out of other eyes” (Mary Baker Eddy, “Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896,” p. 336).
Whether in business or government, if we want to witness God, good, as the one true power, we can. We need only look to our common Father for help and be willing to do our part in exercising brotherly kindness and gentleness to all. As we do, like the Psalmist, we’ll also feel the assurance of divine Love’s control. We too can find the peace conveyed in another powerful hymn:
Then let us know no fear,
Our King is ever near;
Our stay and fortress strong,
Our strength, our hope, our song;
His kingdom is forever.
(Frederic W. Root, “Christian Science Hymnal,” No. 10)