Change For The Better
Otto Bertschi, C.S.B., of
Member of the Board of Lectureship of The
People adopt different attitudes
these days when confronted with all the problems we have − poverty,
ghetto conditions, pollution, lawlessness, war, threats of war − and the
changes necessary to resolve these problems.
Many know something needs doing,
yet they don't dare tackle such vast problems. Others get so frustrated they
rush in without thinking. Some even advocate violence. And there are also
masses who've endured so much, feel so hopeless, they can't imagine a change,
let alone do anything to help it along.
Such serious problems and the
demands for the changes that solve them aren't new or local, of course. They're
old, and they're world-wide. And we all face similar situations no matter where
we live. We're all in the same boat, so to speak.
So we really can't afford
to be like two men I once heard about who were out fishing on a lake. One of
them, the story goes, started boring a hole in the bottom of the boat. The
other objected − naturally. But the first man looked up calmly and said,
"This is my part of the boat!"
More than ever before we realize
today that no one can live to himself. New problems are constantly appearing.
They're involving us all. What one of us does or doesn't do in response to
change, affects the rights and even the safety of his neighbor.
The admission that change presents
a common problem to us all can be a progressive step. But it isn't the heart of
the matter. Take the fisherman story a little further. Suppose they agree to
plug up the hole so they can get to shore. As they near shore, they face
another peril. They find themselves in the marshy shallow around the edge of
the lake. They still haven't reached firm ground. Temporarily plugging the
hole hasn't solved their problem. Struggling in the marsh won't either. They
need solid ground to land on.
So do we need solid ground to make
any useful response to a world changing too rapidly for some of us and too
slowly for others. This is what we're going to discuss tonight. What is the
foundation for progressive change? And, how does it enable us to solve the
problems of change common to all of us?
A Friend To All Men
Many thinkers say the man with the
most progressive social consciousness the world has ever known was Christ
Jesus. We all know his compassion in relieving hunger and poverty, in healing
sickness, and in championing justice. Although he often faced apparently
hopeless problems, he solved them. He extended a helping hand to his fellowmen
where ever he went. He understood very clearly that change for the better,
change for good, is always possible.
How did Jesus do this? He taught that his followers aren't supposed to
merely endure change. They must cause change. He knew this could be done because
it's the foundation upon which his understanding of God was established.
He understood God, the Supreme Being, to be a thoroughly secure foundation. And
at the same time a power that not only permits but encourages progressive
change.
The basis of all Jesus' works was
this understanding of God. He knew without a doubt that a power outside of his
human selfhood was responsible for the good he brought to men. He reminded
those around him, ''My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me" (John
Like Jesus, we too can use this law
of God and of man's relationship to God to respond constructively to change. We
can alter individual experience for the better. This true idea of God and of
man's relation to God is what we mean by the term "Christ". It's the
divine power Jesus expressed by his actions. That's why he's called Jesus the
Christ, or Christ Jesus. Jesus never referred to himself as God. He referred to
himself as the Son of God. He acknowledged God as the divine All-power his
words and works expressed.
The human scene has changed and will continue to. But the divine facts
Jesus used so wonderfully and the divine law they express have never changed.
This law is still right here and available. And because it's law, we can all
bring our thoughts and actions into accord with it. We can all accept it as a
sure basis for action.
The Discovery That God Is Principle
In modern times, about a hundred
years ago, there lived an individual with a tremendous awareness of mankind's
profound need for change. She was Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder
of Christian Science. It seemed obvious to her that Jesus hadn't intended the
kind of works he did to cease − but that his use of God's law to help men
change for the better was to serve as an example for all ages.
Further, she perceived that all
men could follow his example. That they could understand the true relationship
of God and man and the divine law that sustains and empowers this relationship.
God is the source of all true being. Man, God's individual expression, is
forever inseparable from Him. Man understood in his true spiritual nature, acts
in accord with God's law of good, as naturally as the sun's rays spread the
light and warmth of the sun.
This inseparable relationship of
God and man remains a fact, even if we're ignorant of it. Clouds don't prevent
the sun from shining. Neither can ignorance cut us off from God's help, from
the source of spiritual law and power. With knowledge of the true facts, we can
dispel any ignorance. As Jesus showed us, it's natural for men to utilize
divine law and to act in accord with it.
Mrs. Eddy made Jesus' teachings
even more understandable in her book, "Science and Health with Key to the
Scriptures." Through deep study of the Bible and the penetrating spiritual
insights that came to her, she perceived God as Spirit, Truth, Life and Love.
But she also saw God as divine Principle. For some people this word Principle
is an unusual term to use in relation to God. But used in this way it's
extremely helpful in understanding God's law. It indicates the complete
dependability of God's law, at all times in all circumstances.
And when we know God also as Love,
we discern Him as divine Love that is Principle. This loving Principle works
through perfect law and divine order. At one and the same time it's
compassionate, just, and good. Therefore, divine Principle, God, meets
mankind's needs, our needs. It offers you and me a firm foundation in a world
of change. It enables us to welcome progress of all kinds and to make our
contribution to it.
Divine Principle and our relation
to it are described in Science and Health in these words: "Principle and
its idea is one, and this one is God, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent
Being, and His reflection is man and the universe" (p. 465-466). This
understanding of God as divine Principle and of man as inseparable from Him is
helping men and women around the globe to cope more confidently with the
changes around them − because it's helping them know God better.
The Practicality of Divine Principle
The dependability of God's law isn't just theory. Let me illustrate by a
comparison with the field of rocket propulsion. Aerodynamic and ballistic laws
are constant and impersonal. Because experts have correctly applied these and
other relevant laws, men have walked on the moon.
Now consider God as divine Principle. His laws, too, are constant and
universal. But learning to know God as Principle will bring far more gratifying
results even than the grand tour of the solar system we've been promised. The
laws governing rocket propulsion aren't changed by personal opinions or
variations of time and space. Likewise, the laws of divine Principle are always
impartial, aren't affected by personal whims, by shifts of time or place. Man,
relying on divine Principle to govern him, can't be the victim of personal
opinions or traditional codes
inconsistent with divine law. Our understanding of this fact opens our hearts and thoughts to change,
because we know we have a firm foundation on which to meet it. It brings
continuing right progress into our daily lives.
When we work at applying the laws
of rocketry, we expect to achieve results, to solve the successive problems of
getting off the ground, into space, into orbit, and then onto a course for the
moon or Mars. In the same way when we work at applying the law of divine
Principle to meet changing conditions, we aren't left vainly slaving away and
getting nowhere. The very nature of divine Principle is perpetual newness and
freshness. So these qualities will always appear humanly as the achievement of
progress, of actual change for the better.
Christians recognize God to be
Love. As a Christian, Mrs. Eddy knew God as Love and she loved God. Through her
youth and young adulthood, she kept turning thought to God's love until she
finally began to see how Jesus must have worked − through love and law.
In other words, she saw that love is the law to everything. She lived
consistently according to her highest sense both of love and honesty, order and
truth. Tracing these Christly qualities to their source, she learned to know
divine Love as unfailing Principle. In this way she became thoroughly acquainted
with the law of God by which Jesus healed. Then she too knew achievement. She
was able to help mankind in healing the sick and freeing men from ignorance and
wrongdoing. She was able to teach students to do the same, to found the Church
of Christ, Scientist, and to share with all men through her writings this
healing truth of God.
All of us can individually benefit from the law of Love, of unfailing
Principle. We can use it in an unlimited way. In fact, each time we're
conscious of integrity, or goodness, we're seeing Principle, Love, expressed.
Whoever expresses these qualities has God's support. Whoever sees these
qualities expressed in his fellowman witnesses the presence and action of
divine Principle, Love. The law of God accepted in human consciousness supports
every thought that upholds good. It's a sure base from which all of us can go forward together in the face of
today's demands for change. This is a wonderful thing to know.
An Illustration of Christian Science Healing
A young man I know proved the
effectiveness of God's law in a remarkable way. There was great political
unrest in his city. Old ways were being challenged and changed. When mistaken
for a political enemy by rioting students, he was suddenly attacked and beaten
unmercifully. He was left in the gutter badly hurt, one arm particularly. But
he got home somehow and called a Christian Science practitioner.
Some of you know that a Christian Science practitioner is an experienced
Christian Scientist who treats through prayer those who ask for help.
Furthermore, a practitioner encourages one to rely on God's guidance and
supports one's efforts to understand God's care and to apply His healing law.
The practitioner asked the young man to guard his thought against
resentment, and not for a moment to accept the idea that his brother-man could
harm him, no matter what had happened to him. She reminded him − and herself
− that divine Principle, God, being wholly good, could know no violence,
or malice, no evil of any kind. She reassured him that as an individual expression
of God, infinite good, he could refuse to give any power to evil, either in his
thought or in his experience. As they stayed with these spiritual truths, the
law of divine Principle, the lad felt strengthened and comforted.
Within a week the arm that had hung limp was healed, as were the bruises. But this wasn't all. During
the attack by the rioters, the young man's glasses had been broken. So after
he was up and about, he went to have them replaced. Much to his joy he was told
he didn't need glasses any more! In working out his physical healing he'd seen
the true nature of God and man so vividly that he himself was blessed by more
physical freedom than he'd ever known.
Principle and change may at first
seem to be in conflict, but actually they aren't. Divine law, when understood
and applied, brings about change of thought. Change of thought in turn brings
change of experience. And all these changes must be wholly good − because
they're from God. So you see, we can respond confidently to God as divine Principle
and experience continuing change for the better. First in thought, then in our
daily lives.
Fearlessness in Face of Change
We've learned something about God
as divine Principle, entirely good and loving. And by now we should be aware
that divine Principle includes us in its loving and good purposes. But in
order to advance from this base and enjoy all the good that can be ours, we
must free ourselves from fear in its various phases.
Recently I had the privilege of
traveling extensively in
The stories about kanchils are
much the same from country to country. They tell of the little kanchil, outwitting
the fierce tiger, slipping away from the threatening crush of the elephant's
foot, being unafraid of the lion's roar. It hasn't the physical defenses of
most animals, and yet it's utterly fearless, its instinct always protecting
it. Resourceful and unafraid in the face of new conditions, it quickly changes
direction to avoid danger and so is always safe.
This charming creature has a
special message for us in the West. We don't have to be afraid of any changes
in our daily life. Change, even radical change, doesn't have to be troublesome,
if we're willing to consider new ways − if we're willing to face new
conditions like the little kanchil, unafraid and responsive.
Change can come about painlessly
where there's no fear. Wouldn't it be possible for us to walk right up to the
most colossal obstacle or face the most challenging opportunity, if we weren't
hampered by fear? What the kanchil can do by instinct, we surely can do by an
intelligent understanding of divine Principle's unfailing care for us,
whatever changes may come.
Gaining Freedom from the Treadmill
There's another form of fear that tries to prevent us from bringing about
progressive change. Not fear of too much or too rapid change but fear that
change, though urgently needed, just isn't a present possibility or is much too
slow.
To meet this fear, we have to wake up to the fact that we're not
dominated by adverse circumstances. We're not on an everlasting treadmill,
constantly in motion but never moving forward. By opening our thought to the
true nature of God and man, to the operation of divine Principle in our lives,
we can see good is right at hand for us − that change is always possible
and that under God's direction it's going to be change for the better. All
that's needed is our consent.
The point in question is, do we
really want to leave the old and familiar for a new adventure? Do we want to
leave limiting, personal, physical views of ourselves for the unlimited view
of man's existence as building progressively on the solid ground of divine
Principle? Science and Health says, "To break this earthly spell, mortals
must get the true idea and divine Principle of all that really exists and
governs the universe harmoniously" (p. 39). We have the choice either to
submit to the treadmill of old habits which gets us nowhere or to work at
getting "the true idea and divine Principle of all that really exists and
governs the universe harmoniously." If we do this, we can lose our fear. Then
we can help bring about the changes for the better possible under God's
government − and take advantage of them. We alone make the choice.
For example, I know of a newspaperman
who was unjustly imprisoned for his political convictions. While in prison,
he closely observed what went on around him. Incidentally, his observations
were later published in a prize-winning book called, "Road Without
End." After his release he told friends he'd made a fundamental discovery
− that when faced with unpleasant circumstances, the first thirty minutes
are decisive.
Although he remained in jail for some years, it was no treadmill for
him. As already indicated, because of his attitude, he made valuable use of
that time. He didn't have any bitterness, no sense of futility. He
didn't just accept the situation as a loss. He took every opportunity to get
whatever good he could out of it. So mental freedom and progress permeated his prison experience all the
time, and ultimately he gained physical freedom.
There's a similar story in the
Bible. In early Christian times, religious and political convictions were
practically one and the same thing. The Apostle Paul had been imprisoned in
So we needn't be afraid either of
change or no change, too fast change or too slow change. The understanding of God's
law, of man as governed by his divine Principle, is what best frees us from
this fear.
A Life Changed For The Better
Recently I talked with a man who
early in life had special opportunity to change. This change occurred before
the turn of the century, and he has been enjoying his freedom from fear ever
since.
As a lad, he was employed on a Pullman car and led a rather loose life.
While on a trip, he learned that Mrs. Eddy was among the passengers on the way
to
In order to see her, he went along to her compartment with a glass of
water. Mrs. Eddy hadn't asked for this service. The lad was just curious. But
the courtesy she showed him encouraged a change in his sense of values.
As he returned to his quarters he
felt ashamed of his rudeness. But he knew he wanted to be a better man, to
change his ways.
It wasn't long before he found
someone to show him how to study Christian Science. His thought awakened to a greater
sense of divine reality and the possibility of a complete change in himself. As
he learned more, his whole life progressively changed. This was the scientific
action of the Christ, the true idea of God and man, blessing him and helping
him choose freedom.
The cynic and the fatalist, having already abandoned hope, often look for
relief in the very things that prevent progress − habit-forming drugs,
for example. Or alcohol. They've surrendered to fear. They accept intolerable conditions
on the assumption things can't be changed, and have to be endured.
How futile these negative attitudes and material remedies are. Fear
isn't corrected by them. It's more deeply entrenched. The solution lies in
spiritual awakening and in spiritual healing. The need is for the solid
building ground provided by a spiritual understanding of God as divine
Principle and of man as eternally governed by Principle.
Science and Health describes the glad continuing change everyone can
experience in these words: ''God expresses in man the infinite idea forever
developing itself, broadening and rising higher and higher from a boundless
basis" (p. 258). And this "boundless basis" is God, good, the
divine Principle, Love. Making it our starting point we can begin to overcome
fear and progressively surmount other difficulties.
The Way of Prayer
How do we get spiritual awakening?
What can we do to experience this true sense of change and speed progress?
May I assure you right here that
this awakening can be ours now. Be fearless. Accept change readily. Don't worry
if a bit of a struggle is involved. Change doesn't come by wishful thinking or
by mere human reasoning, however positive and constructive.
How does it come then? By prayer
− scientific prayer. Mrs. Eddy writes, ''When a hungry heart petitions
the divine Father-Mother God for bread, it is not given a stone, − but
more grace, obedience, and love" (Miscellaneous Writings. p. 127).
The first thing to understand
about prayer is this − we have to pray for what God has, His own good
gifts. The human need may be for something quite different. So in Christian
Science, when looking for change, we don't pray for material things − for
a meal, a house, money. We learn to express grace, obedience, and love.
We acknowledge that divine Principle,
Love, is governing all. Then it follows naturally that every human need is
progressively supplied − and far better than we could personally plan.
One can't change within and not
change without. Jesus said, "Seek ye first the
Our motive is another important
consideration in prayer. We have to pray with true and unselfish motives.
Trying to cover a lie, asking to avoid an unpleasant situation, hoping for
revenge, selfish gain or the physical strength to harm someone else, isn't
prayer as Christian Science teaches it. Such prayer couldn't bring satisfying
change because the things asked for have no divine qualities. We don't want to
be like the woman who made a bad mistake in bookkeeping and then spent the rest
of the week, praying her superiors wouldn't discover it. Divine Principle, God,
would never answer such misguided prayer. Prayer certainly means acknowledging
all good, but it also requires that we expose all undesirable elements in
thought and rid ourselves of them. Scientific prayer is an activity of both
inclusion and exclusion.
And third, true prayer starts by glorifying God, rather than asking
anything for ourselves. There's nothing wrong in asking God for what He has to
give − for goodness, safety, progress. harmony, health. But recognition
of man's inseparable unity with God, that is, with Spirit, Life, Truth, and
Love, is a very important part of prayer. It enables us to expel from our
thought such elements as fear, pride, envy, hatred, meanness, injustice and
the like. It acknowledges God's presence and power as being everywhere.
And what are the results of such
prayer? By bringing our thinking and our actions into line with divine facts,
we're learning to love God and man. By being loving to those around us −
by exercising justice, kindness, order − we're putting prayer into
action. In so doing, we have no time for the temptations of materialism and
evil. We can't think of opposites simultaneously. As a natural consequence of
Godlike thinking, change inevitably
comes about. And it's always change we can wholeheartedly welcome, change for
the better.
The Right Kind of Prayer
in Action
This, then, is the need in scientific
prayer: to bring thinking into harmony with the divine facts, with divine law, and
so free ourselves from fear, doubt, confusion. What would a beautiful oriental
rug be if seen only from the underside? You would see traces of the pattern
only in faint outline. But change it to the other side! Oh − the unspeakable
beauty − the rich colors − the blending − the contrasts! And
this beauty seems to increase with use and care! In our lives we need to turn
from any dull routine or confusion. Instead, we need to consider our lives from
the standpoint of divine Principle's government of man. Then changes will bring
us more spiritual fullness and beauty. Spirit always has goodness for us
− more joy, peace and satisfaction.
Doesn't this mean we have to see
ourselves on the right side? We have to see our true nature, entirely
spiritual, as the idea of divine Principle − as the perfect likeness of
Spirit. In this way can we be in harmony with God. Science and Health tells us,
''Prayer cannot change the Science of being, but it tends to bring us into
harmony with it" (p. 2). When we're in harmony with divine Spirit, we're
what we should be − our true selves − right side up!
When an understanding of divine
Principle and of man's spiritual nature touches a disturbed condition, it
doesn't solve the immediate problem alone. It can reach into avenues not known
to us where healing is needed.
I know of a man who was seriously
afflicted by internal bleeding. He had lost a lot of weight. His life was in
danger. An operation was considered essential, even though no great hope was
held out for him. But, as sometimes happens these days, he wasn't able to get
into the hospital right away.
In the meantime, a friend told him about Christian Science. He readily
agreed to have help from a Christian Science practitioner and did his best to
study and live according to the teachings of Christian Science. He learned
something of God as divine Principle and as infinite Love governing all. He
learned that man, as the likeness of God, Spirit, isn't a physical mortal at
the mercy of blind change and chance. In short, he learned something of what
life truly is.
My friend didn't use any medicine during this time. However, because of
mandatory requirements of his office, he had to report to a doctor once a
week. All this time the kind of prayer and living I've spoken of was continued
by my friend and the practitioner. When the operation was to take place, the
doctor said it wouldn't be necessary. The bleeding had stopped. My friend had regained
almost normal weight. He was released from any further medical observation.
Soon he was able to return to work.
And now for an interesting sequel
which illustrates the far-reaching effectiveness of scientific prayer. After
this man's return to work, an unpleasant conspiracy by employees was uncovered.
Because of jealousy they had been scheming to have him removed from his post.
Now, when he returned, the employees welcomed him back and apologized for
their behavior. Not only did he receive a remarkable physical healing through
claiming his unity with divine Principle, Love, but his reliance on divine
Principle also destroyed the hateful thinking in his office. Now there was
friendliness and cooperation.
Prayer, divinely enlightened
thought, draws on the All-power of divine Principle. This power destroys fear,
ensures cooperation, and speeds change for the better − change based on
divine Principle operating through divine law.
A Doorway Never Shut
Some of you have seen the walled
cities of medieval
This dramatically illustrates the
vast changes which have come to mankind. Conditions in the modern world demand
change. Because divine Principle is waking us up to our divinely bestowed
heritage, this change can always be for the better. Divine Principle and
progress aren't conflicting elements. They go together for our benefit. Change
for the better is always right, and we can know that Principle, divine Love, always
supports it and us. That which inspires the change will protect the change and
our part in it. No one is hurt by progress, pressed down by progress, or
excluded from progress.
Change for the better, then, is
possible for all of us.
And it can be a blessing for all
of us, too.
©1971 The Christian
Science Board of Directors
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