Quick Decisions ANNIE M. KNOTT, CSD          It is very well known that attempts are often made to defeat the ends of justice bringing about delays, when all except those vitally concerned lose their interest. Thus decisions are left in large measure to chance, unless there are some who hold steadfastly by the right until it is demonstrated. On page 463 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy says, “To decide quickly as to the proper treatment of error — whether error is manifested in forms of sickness, sin, or death — is the first step toward destroying error.” It is true that Christian Science has already wrought great changes in this respect in the thought of those who are its students, but it is not possible to be too keenly alert to the necessity for treating all the suggestions of error with prompt dismissal. Of old the requirement made of the children of Israel was, “Choose you this day whom ye will serve.” They were not to wait even until the morrow to decide whether it were better to serve God or mammon, Spirit or matter. No, they were bidden to “decide quickly,” and we read that their prompt decision was, “We will serve the Lord.”          No one would deny that a temptation to sin should be dismissed at once, on the ground that evil has no place in the consciousness of man as God’s likeness, and no power over him. This is an eternal fact, whether it come quickly or slowly to the human sense. If it come quickly, the decision to abide by it is of tremendous importance to all concerned, for it means that the individual who has made this choice is standing upon the Rock of ages. It is however seldom seen by those outside of Christian Science that in the matter of sickness the individual decides his own case; that is, he either accepts the verdict of mortal mind, which is often hopeless and at best uncertain, or he accepts the supreme decision of the divine Mind, which reads, “Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.” This merciful and unalterable decision may be disputed by error, but it cannot be set aside, since it is the decree of infinite wisdom and Love.          The trouble with all material methods of dealing with sickness and sin is that mortal mind does not know reality, hence it judges by appearances, which are always deceptive, and then waits, forever waits to see what will happen. Physicians often advise delay until conditions develop which will enable them to decide upon a patient’s chances for recovery, whereas a quick decision from the standpoint of spiritual law means more to a despairing sufferer than all the decisions that were ever handed down from earthly tribunals. Such a decision is authoritative, for it expresses the will of Him who said, “Why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God.”          Once the Master said, “Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life,” and this clearly implies a wrong decision on the part of humanity, which so sorely needs what the ever-present Christ has to give. The familiar saying that “delays are dangerous” may well be recalled here, for one who dallies with a temptation to sin is sure to yield to it. If one temporizes with the insidious belief that there is more than one power, that material methods may do more for him than the unseen realities of Spirit, he needs to be aroused to see the truth and at once decide to place unwavering faith in what divine Principle can do for him.          The temptation to doubt in any wise the divine power and willingness to save us from every phase of evil must be resolutely dealt with, for otherwise we may come to be classed with those who make shipwreck of their faith. The final decision in all questions must come from God, but we can at this very moment decide to abide by that decision, even if it strip us of some measure of worldly pleasure; and we can always rest assured that it will never doom us to sin, sickness, or death. If justice and judgment are the habitation of God’s throne, we cannot too soon decide to take shelter therein and dwell safely in the presence of divine Love.   "Quick Decisions" by Annie M. Knott, CSD Christian Science Sentinel, June 17, 1916

 

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