Serving and Safety

There is perhaps nothing which men desire more earnestly than safety. Humankind seem to be pleading, How shall we conduct ourselves in order to be saved from trouble of all sorts, from ill health, sin, worry, accident, loss of employment or money? From a material viewpoint, theology, medicine, hygiene, and psychology persistently offer their suggestions of how safety may be attained. On the other hand, Christian Science answers the question of preservation or safety from a spiritual basis, the basis of the omnipotence of God, divine Mind.

Christian Science teaches that God is Spirit, good, and that man is His image and likeness, coexistent with Him. Reasoning from the premise of man’s coexistence with the one all-harmonious God, Science reaches the conclusion that the safety of the real man is never otherwise than intact. Christian Scientists are frequently reminded of these facts in their study of the Bible and Mrs. Eddy’s writings. Safety under divine protection takes on fresh meaning and seems blessedly available as it is presented twice yearly (Christian Science Quarterly Bible Lessons) in the Lesson-Sermon entitled, “God the Preserver of Man.”

When understanding of the creator as Preserver of His creation is unfolded through study of these recurring Lesson-Sermons, there comes to the student a desire to live with thought so divinely uplifted that he may realize an ever increasing measure of preservation and safety. Such protection has been associated for centuries with the names of those who truly served God. And to-day men still find that they gain that sweet sense of security under heaven’s protection when they are engaged in God’s service.

Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, David, Solomon, and other great characters of the Old Testament, gloried in being called God’s servants; and they thereby claimed preservation, dominion, health, deliverance, spiritual power, and victory over their enemies. Jesus, in serving his Father, proved that preservation is spiritual; and he passed through the ordeal of the cross and triumphantly emerged from the tomb.

It was serving God that preserved the children of Israel all the way from Egypt to Canaan. To-day there is cause to rejoice in the fact that Christian Science is revealing God as the Preserver of man, and is awakening in mankind a new interest in serving Him aright.

Since it is in right thinking and in good deeds that we serve God, all are free to enter His service and receive His protecting care. Jesus said, “Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” True service implies continuous consecration. The Christian Scientist knows that God is Life, Truth, and Love, and that God is All. Therefore, the Scientist finds opportunity for continuous service to God in the constant effort to overcome whatever presents itself as unlike God, good, and to bring truthfulness, loveliness, and goodness into his own experience. One who strives thus to serve God will find that in the hour of trial or temptation, at all times indeed, God is protecting and preserving him from evil.

The Psalmist said, “Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that he have mercy upon us.” The same thought was expressed by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, when, in her vigilant service to God, she wrote in her Message to The Mother Church for 1901 (p. 1), “Rest assured you can never lack God’s outstretched arm so long as you are in His service.”

One may enter God’s service wherever his daily duties take him, be it at home, in office, or in shop. It is there that he must make a beginning of denying evil and self, and of affirming the holy realities which define true being. And there are constantly widening avenues for all who desire opportunities in God’s service. The Mother Church and its branch churches the world over hold their doors open for those who are prepared to become members. Loyal church membership is continuous activity in serving God.

Concerning the opportunities for service within the church our Leader writes (Church Manual, pp. 44, 45), “God requires our whole heart, and He supplies within the wide channels of The Mother Church dutiful and sufficient occupation for all its members.” There are many who can testify to the healing and the protection which have come into their lives as a result of sincerely trying to live in obedience to this By-Law.

Perhaps there are some in God’s service who are not conscious of receiving His protection. Yet who knows how many times they may have escaped evil consequences because their thoughts were dwelling on high with Truth? What healing and help the acknowledgment of God as the Preserver of His children brings can never be estimated. The word “preserve,” by reason of its prefix, brings the thought of pre-saving, or saving before evil claims to be manifested. Evil thoughts and erroneous suggestions can and should be halted and prevented from approaching, in belief, the dwelling of righteousness.

Outside of Christian Science there may seem to be little relation between serving and preserving; but in the light of Science there is seen to be a sacred link between the two. Salvation may be regarded as but another name for complete safety; and salvation to be complete must save from sickness and want, as well as from sin.

In a certain factory a “safety campaign” was in progress. A large clocklike device was displayed on each floor, the hands of which were moved every time an accident occurred in the building. It was thought that if the workers were made to realize how many accidents were happening, they would be more cautious. But more mistakes than ever were made. The workers were not thinking of safety, but of accidents and fear; and, as it was with Job, the thing they feared came upon them.

It is not fear of danger, but realization of protection and security, that saves from evil. If a small bird falls from its nest, it is not aware of possible dangers. The mother bird hovers over it to feed it, to drive intruders away, and to teach it to fly. Mother-love always exercises protection. Thus it is with the Father-Mother God, who is always present, ever guiding His ideas and eternally supplying them with good. We have but to place ourselves in His care by serving Him to find security.