Progress for Africa

At the 1884-1885 Berlin Conference, several European nations divided much of Africa among themselves, drawing up borders heedless of ethnicity, language, or local economies. This formalized the colonization already in place and paved a way for it to continue. Though most African countries began regaining their independence in the mid-20th century, this history and its complex legacy still play a role in the Africa of today.

I’ve spent significant time in Africa, and its people are close to my heart. I have made many friends throughout the continent, and at various times we’ve discussed both its bright spots and its continuing needs. My prayers for the world – including Africa – have been encouraged by an idea that emerges from my study and practice of Christian Science, which is that disadvantages are not inevitable for anyone, because true identity – who we truly are now and eternally – isn’t determined or limited by history.

This may seem surprising, since it can appear that everything is the logical, inevitable result of history as part of the chronological evolution of the physical universe itself. But what if everyone’s true identity goes beyond the material appearance of things – is in fact purely spiritual, not a product of physical evolution, but the direct spiritual outcome of the Divine, a manifestation of infinite Life and Love?

The Bible brings out that God is infinite Spirit and that God’s children must be spiritual, like Him. Jesus once spoke of the need to be “born again” to “see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3) – in other words, the need to come home to one’s spiritual existence.

To be spiritual is to be governed directly and exclusively by Spirit, just as a ray of sunlight is governed not by the other rays but by the sun. This means that our oneness with this infinite, omnipresent Love governs us – not colonialism, injustice, or poverty. Understanding this fundamental relationship to God enables us to prove our present freedom, wherever we may live.

God imparts to each of His beloved children a constant stream of practical and uplifting spiritual ideas. As God’s children, we’re inherently able to receive those divine thoughts and obey divine direction, which leads to harmony. At a time when his country was occupied by the Romans, Jesus said to all, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).

A friend of mine in the capital of a central African country listened to ideas from God when civil war broke out. At one point, soldiers were going door to door killing or arresting people who they thought supported the opposing faction. My friend was praying to know that even though it may not always appear to be so, God – not a military group or human circumstance – is always governing His creation. God, good, is the only valid cause and protects everyone as His spiritual image.

One night when soldiers were coming around in my friend’s neighborhood, he spent the night hiding in his house, praying in this way. Through prayer he discerned when it was safe to come out of hiding and to leave the city, rejoining his family in a safer place.

Another African friend of mine experienced God’s government when he had to take a course in a Western country in order to progress in his career, which involved helping others. But he didn’t have the funds to travel for the course, and getting a visa could be difficult since many people were fleeing his country and he had no travel record that could help him receive a visitor’s visa.

He affirmed that because God, the great “I AM” of which we are all the spiritual reflection, isn’t limited by anything, he couldn’t be limited by any human obstacle. He also recognized that God blesses His children without measure and, metaphorically speaking, God’s hands are full of abundant resources. By reflection, so are ours, no matter where we live.

Ultimately, he received the funding he needed for his studies, and the visa was granted. A few years later another course in another country was required. Again the needs were met, and he returned home to work for his country’s development.

Beyond national borders and history, both friends continue to work and live from the standpoint that divine Love is universal and the source of unity, stability, and progress for all.

Continuing needs in Africa and elsewhere may seem great – from food, water, and shelter for those fleeing war, to safety and equality for women, and greater respect for human rights and the environment. But wherever we live, we can help by affirming everyone’s eternal status as God’s cared-for, spiritual offspring, and by refusing to let our own thoughts and actions be governed by anything other than God, good. As we do that, we help break through the notion of the inevitability of limitation and suffering for everyone.