Abundance of innovation
Many economists concede that thousands of jobs lost in this recession, especially in traditional manufacturing areas, will never return and will now reside in developing countries. They also predict that recovery in the United States and other developed countries will require innovation, including, for example, in newer fields – new solutions and technologies to address climate change, the environment, energy, and sustainable lifestyles.
Where will these ideas emerge? From the same source they have always originated from – the one infinite Mind that created and governs the universe. Although the development of ideas has been attributed to inventors, in their brilliance and hard work they were receiving ideas from this divine Mind. Scientists sometimes attribute their discoveries to ideas that suddenly came to them. Many acknowledge that an idea was from a source beyond them.
Dr. Charles Townes, Nobel laureate for the discovery of the laser, recalls such a breakthrough. He was trying to create masers, the precursor of lasers, and had failed. On the day scientists were to meet to decide if and how to continue, he woke early and went for a walk. Sitting on a park bench, he had an idea. He wrote down the mathematical formula on an envelope. Although two Nobel laureates said it wouldn’t work, with that formula he went on to develop the maser and later the laser.
Monitor founder Mary Baker Eddy wrote: “It is the prerogative of the ever-present, divine Mind, and of thought which is in rapport with this Mind, to know the past, the present, and the future. Acquaintance with the Science of being enables us to commune more largely with the divine Mind, to foresee and foretell events which concern the universal welfare, to be divinely inspired, – yea, to reach the range of fetterless Mind” (“Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” p. 84).
How does one tap into divine Mind? By acknowledging its presence. When we are stumped, ideas flow more freely when we are willing to listen. Communing with God demands more than religiosity; it requires a desire to care for the needs of others, to seek truth without preconception, and to recognize communication as spiritual in nature, and each individual as the offspring of divine Mind, reflecting divine intelligence, inspiration, perfection.
One challenge facing innovative ideas is getting others to accept and help develop them. When ego encounters other egos, resistance and conflict can result. Bureaucracy may also resist innovation. Jesus encouraged his disciples when they encountered resistance: “Never worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be told at the time what you are to say. For it will not be really you who are speaking but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you”
(Matt. 10:19–20, J.B. Phillips).
How can one help others accept and cooperate in the development of ideas? By aligning with the divine Mind. We need to trust divine Mind to nurture in each of us what’s necessary for an innovation’s development and application. The Creator is infinitely creative; He will show us the innovations needed, provide opportunities, and direct the paths of those needing jobs.
