Making the Port

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A brave and skillful mariner, once well started on his voyage, never turns back, but keeps headed toward the port of his destination, no matter what obstacles present themselves. His ship, wisely steered and strongly propelled from within, makes progress even while it is being buffeted by the winds and waves. So shall I make progress, steered by the acknowledgement of God in all my ways, and propelled from within and above by Love and Truth. I will not truckle in spirit, nor yield for a moment my poise and self-control, nor even think of turning back in my course, for pain, nor for any suggestions of doubt, fear, or despondency; but I shall win a victory over afflictions by patience, calmness, determination, perseverance, courage, and understanding, all born of God.

Just as the mariner does not ask the winds and waves whether or not he is making progress, but asks his chart and compass, so I will not ask the feelings or states of my body whether or not I am getting on, but I will ask my increasing understanding of God’s word, which is my chart and compass. I will “look away from the body into Truth and Love” (Science and Health, 261:2.) I will, in my calculations of progress, “be absent from the body, and present with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:8). And when this storm of distress is past, I shall be farther on than before it commenced, in moral strength, in character, in health, and in knowledge of the Truth.

When the storm arises, the mariner does not turn off steam and drift before the wind, anywhere it chooses to carry him; but he turns on more steam and keeps headed straight for port. So, when the storms of distress or suffering rise against me, I will not cease to know and declare Truth and Love, and I will not utter the complaints of mortal mind, and so let it carry me backward; but during the storm of suffering, I will hold on to Truth and Love all the harder. I will declare them all the more stoutly. So shall I make progress toward final healing even in the midst of the worst distress.

“Be not weary in well doing; for in due season you shall reap, if you faint not.” — Gal. 6:9




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