The path to sustainable progress

We all like the idea of progress, in our lives and the world. But sometimes having more harmonious relationships and healthier, more peaceful communities can seem elusive. It’s difficult to find progress by complacently going along with whatever circumstances or physical conditions arise, or trusting that our human capacities alone are sufficient to meet all needs.

So is there a more reliable source we can lean on to enable progress?

If I pointed us to God as the answer, it certainly wouldn’t be the first time someone did this. Many have looked to the teachings of Jesus, who taught and proved the power of God and how to experience the infinite goodness of the kingdom of heaven, which is always “at hand” (Matthew 4:17). Jesus’ ministry showed that this kingdom is where we truly live – and it is not some far-off place, but the essence of existence, in which God’s good qualities of love and intelligence come forth. Such qualities make up everyone’s true identity, because God – the infinite consciousness that originated the universe – created us spiritually, in His very image.

This is a powerful starting point for progress. Lasting progress and solutions come from bringing out more of what we learn of God – and of ourselves as His spiritual offspring.

I’m talking about the spiritual hunger to see and live the grace, intelligence, and good purpose God pours through everyone. Nurturing this hunger has a progressive impact, molding our thoughts and lives for the better.

Talking with his disciples about what it takes to “enter into the kingdom of God,” Jesus explained, “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:24, 26). All things are possible with the divine Spirit, or Mind, because it is the infinite source and maintainer of the spiritual identity and purpose of us all. God inspires in us the modes of thinking and living that enable His goodness to shine through. Moved by the divine consciousness, our lives show forth this goodness, with potential for endless development.

God and His creation are all that really exist. By turning to this divine Mind for love and grace and strength, and affirming the rightness of these qualities – instead of simply going along with the material conditions we encounter – we allow to come forward all the kinds of qualities and actions that are elements of progress, enriching lives.

The Bible gives examples. Jesus, through his great exemplification of the consciousness that reflects divine goodness, healed and empowered and fed thousands in circumstances that seemed far from promising. Each of us can strive to follow in the path he pointed out. For instance, I’ve found over the years that actively praying to be moved by God – rather than fear, doubt, or selfishness – has increasingly strengthened me and led to healing, opportunities to bless those around me, and fresh momentum for finding solutions to problems.

When we yield human consciousness for the divine, honoring God’s qualities, this then enables us to move forward with improved, more inspired lives. It counteracts, bit by bit, disease and violence and settles thought into a better spot. It’s also the way to discover our essential purpose of expressing God. Filled up with a spiritualized impetus for thought and life, we’re better equipped to see and express God’s goodness in the world around us. Our world needs this.

Monitor founder Mary Baker Eddy wrote, “Every day makes its demands upon us for higher proofs rather than professions of Christian power. These proofs consist solely in the destruction of sin, sickness, and death by the power of Spirit, as Jesus destroyed them. This is an element of progress, and progress is the law of God, whose law demands of us only what we can certainly fulfil” (“Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” p. 233).

So then, well, let’s keep progressing.