Divine unfoldment

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Goodness and progress are always unfolding in our lives, but sometimes we may really want to see how it’s all going to turn out! That’s the nature of the human mind.

The human mind is opposed to God and must be put off, as St. Paul declares.

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God isn’t an anthropomorphic “old man” high in the sky, though we often use human terms to describe Him. Really God is more of an infinite, all-embracing, impartial, divine Love and Substance that is the Source of all. This Substance is what makes up you and me, our divine essence and nature.

I love seeing all the flowers blossom in spring. They are fantastic and the aroma is wonderful! Seeing a tree filled with hundreds of delicate blossoms helps me to see God’s love, who gives us those tiny little buds and blossoms for Her delight.

It is Love which paints the petal with myriad hues, glances in the warm sunbeam, arches the cloud with the bow of beauty, blazons the night with starry gems, and covers earth with loveliness.

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We don’t worry that the buds won’t open up; we trust they will open in just the right way and at just the right time. So it is with life. When we are praying for something, we can trust that spiritual desire to God. We can listen to God telling us that we are loved, that we are made in Her likeness to shine Her beautiful light, and patiently wait for Love to unfold Her blessing in our lives.

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

Wait on God

Recently, my husband and I have been looking into housing and various real estate options. It can be so tempting to want to know what will happen in the future? What will it look like? What should we do? Etc.

I’ve found, though, when we lean on God, just taking one step at a time, He shows us the way. If I focus on wondering what it will look like in the end, I miss the joy, trust, faith and discovery that is part of each day.

The Bible tells us to “wait on the Lord”, which I like to think about as continuing to serve God (rather than just sitting around).

Mary Baker Eddy explains, “When we wait patiently on God and seek Truth righteously, He directs our path.”

It used to drive me crazy to have to wait for something to happen. But now (I’m grateful for this sign of spiritual progress) I am able to listen more to God, wait on Him, and rejoice in the facts of His harmonious creation and government of all things.

When we keep our focus on God, Spirit, divine Love, then good things naturally unfold in our lives.

Jesus teaches this in the Sermon on the Mount. After asking his disciples why do they worry about tomorrow and wondering if God will provide them with the food, clothing, etc., he instructs: “…seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matt 6:33)

Finally, “Progress is the law of God”, writes Mary Baker Eddy, and since it’s a law we can lean on it and rejoice that it is operating in our lives.

 

It’s all about perspective

My cat brought a small, cool-looking lizard in to the house today. Trying to catch the lizard while stopping the cat from playing with him was challenging. The lizard was fast & freaked out. And eventually ran to a dark hole underneath the dishwasher. I waited for him to come out for an hour or so, but to no avail.

I went to my next appointment thinking about this lizard. Did he know when he woke up this morning that this would be the day when he was captured by a predator & stuck in a dark hole probably left to die?

But on the heels of these dark thoughts came a burst of light. Wait a minute! Was I going to accept the limited perspective of the lizard? Or was I going to see the situation for what it really was? I was right there wanting & waiting to help the lizard & return him to the bright, sunny outdoors where he could continue to live happily.

I thought about how many situations look like this from God’s perspective. God is right there ready & wanting to help us, to rescue us from a dark seeming situation. However because of our limited perspective we freak out, run & hide in the dark, perhaps wanting to work it out on our own.

The lizard was in no real danger when he entered my house; I was right there to help him. I was grateful to realize that the danger was only perceived according to his limited consciousness, & the goodness of the day had never actually left.

When I returned home, I found the lizard sunning himself on the carpet near the window. My husband & I were able to open the door & herd him towards it, at which point he willingly let my husband pick him up & place him outside. He went happily running off.

I was grateful for the opportunity to help this beautiful lizard. And I’m even more grateful for the spiritual lesson I learned about how I can see from God’s perspective more often and trust His ever-present, loving care.