Patient Persistence ALBERT F. GILMORE, CSB          The chief tendency of the modern times is a restless striving for something, the possession of which it is believed insures happiness, and makes life richer and more meaningful. In this quest mortals entirely overlook the fact of man's present possession, by reflection, of all God's bounty. Since the desire for material gain is uppermost, little attention is given to contemplation of things of the Spirit. Yet, when the situation is soberly faced, all must conclude that the things which are seen, at most, are but temporal, and ultimately will pass beyond mankind's grasp. The deep purport of Jesus' words, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away," is quite unheeded, and the quest goes on in the mistaken belief that happiness lies in great possessions.          With the spiritually-minded, those truly seeking the light, however, the question constantly arises, Upon what may I lay hold which will never be taken away? And the answer is found, not in matter, but in Spirit. "Heaven and earth," as Jesus used the words, is the all-inclusive term for materiality, the universe of matter. Jesus foresaw the final disappearance of all material concepts, but his words, voicing eternal truth, were permanent, indestructible. Obviously, then, he who seeks the permanent things, something which will not pass from his grasp but remain forever within his conscious experience, must look to the Spirit, to the truth voiced by the Master; for there alone is permanence.          Once this thought is grasped, there may come an overwhelming desire immediately to lay hold of the spiritual and to lay off the material. So compelling does the yearning become that it seems the transformation must be accomplished at once. When the true idea of substance first breaks upon consciousness, the desire may become almost resistless to finish with matter, to be through with it and all its changeful conditions, and to cherish nothing but that which emanates from Spirit. Then it is that patience is needed. James' words, "Let patience have her perfect work," must be heeded. When we become convinced that we have been traveling in the wrong direction, we may decide instantly that the old road must be abandoned; yet to retrace our steps, to change our mental habits and outlook, is not the work of a moment. The process is that of transformation, and transformation of consciousness, through regeneration, is a problem not instantly solved.          The letter of Christian Science may be quickly gained, the Science and art of spiritual thinking and living, but the actual conformity to the ideal is a question of unfoldment. Impatience creeps in, and instead of hastening the demonstration, this enemy to spiritual progress retards it; for impatience is the outgrowth of a false concept of Life and man, having its roots in the belief that man is material. Its antidote is to recognize that in God's kingdom all is done, all is complete, and man is not in need of any good thing. Realization of this calms the impatient thought with a sure sense of serenity and peace.          Mortals desire immediate results, forgetting that "first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear," is the order of unfoldment which our Master described in the parable of the sowing. The full corn was not to be gathered until the orderly process of growth had taken place. May we not learn from these wise words the lesson of patience: not patience with error, but patiently to await the manifestation of divine law in its orderly processes. The writer of the book of Hebrews saw the need for overcoming the sense of haste and restlessness in accomplishing the goal of spiritual living. "Let us lay aside every weight," this writer admonished the Hebrews, "and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." Sound words, and as applicable today as when first written! Running our race with patience, in the full assurance that God's grace is sufficient to our needs, will lead to the ultimate goal, and in good time! Our progress will be as rapid as we are prepared to have it.          Mrs. Eddy characterizes patience on page 515 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" thus: "Patience is symbolized by the tireless worm, creeping over lofty summits, persevering in its intent." This lowly form of life, in mortal thought the lowliest, teaches mankind a lesson in patiently fulfilling the purposes for which it was created. Its perseverance in doing the work which instinct impels it to do is an example for us of the demonstration of patience, serenity, and peaceful application to the gaining of our freedom from all that encumbers and restricts. Patience is not only a virtue to be cultivated; it is a rule of life to be persistently observed in order to prove the immanence of good.          Through patience we gain the spiritual sense of Truth; and Mrs. Eddy says, "Truth is used to waiting" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 268). Patiently to wait for good to be manifest, for the healing Christ to appear, is not to lose but to gain all that is worthy. The kingdom of heaven is not to be taken by violence. Only in calmness and serenity, in patient obedience to the divine will, are we able to enter the kingdom. For the kingdom is the abiding place of infinite peace, where is no unsatisfied desire, no imperfect idea. Where all is complete, unceasing patience prevails.   "Patient Persistence" by Albert F. Gilmore, CSB The Christian Science Journal, October, 1928

 

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