Yielding to divine Love’s ‘sweet control’

The concept of control relates to many aspects of contemporary life. Economists and political leaders refer to the need to control inflation. In sports such as soccer or rugby, commentators refer to the way in which an influential participant controls the game.

Through studying the Scriptures, I’ve become acquainted with the stories of individuals who confronted – and overcame – difficult circumstances where everything seemed out of control. For example, Daniel was placed in a den of hungry lions when he refused to obey a royal decree that would have compromised his devotion to God. He prayed and was unharmed by the lions – a result that caused King Darius to command the entire kingdom to worship God (see Daniel 6).

Throughout his ministry, Christ Jesus provided clear evidence of God’s supremacy and government. Jesus referred to God as his “Father” and affirmed his oneness with the Father, which enabled him to prove God’s spiritual law of order and harmony in healing.

The Gospel of John records a visit Jesus made to Cana, a village in Galilee. A nobleman sought out Jesus and asked him to heal his son, who was sick with a fever in Capernaum – a town over twenty miles away. Jesus responded to the nobleman with these words: “Go thy way; thy son liveth” (John 4:50). As the nobleman journeyed home, his servants met him to confirm that his son was fully restored.

It seems to me that Jesus had perceived that the nobleman’s son was, in truth, the spiritual reflection of God, or Mind, and therefore expressed the soundness and wholeness of divine Mind. According to the scriptural account, this healing led the nobleman’s entire household to embrace Jesus as the Messiah. In “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” Mary Baker Eddy, founder of The Christian Science Monitor, states, “Mind’s control over the universe, including man, is no longer an open question, but is demonstrable Science” (p. 171). “Man” refers to all men, women, and children.

In order to understand God’s control in any situation, we need to forsake personal control and reject any tendency to outline how a particular outcome should look. This requires humility and a deep trust that God will provide a solution that is harmonious and satisfactory to everyone.

Sometimes our lives may appear to spiral out of control. Yet we can perceive these circumstances as opportunities to prove divine Mind’s control, or government. Through acknowledging and understanding Mind’s sovereignty, we can find healing in the face of disease, harmony in our families, and greater cohesion in our places of work.

To effectively demonstrate the authority and control of infinite Mind, we need to gain a deeper understanding of man’s identity as the expression of God. Man is the spiritual likeness of God, who is good. Science and Health states that man is “subordinate alone to his Maker” (p. 518). We all are under orders from God. Understanding this, we discover wholeness and harmony, which are permanent components of our true, spiritual identity as the children of God.

A few years ago I was cycling to work along a country road in southeast England. I was praying specifically about road safety, affirming that everyone I encountered was embraced in divine Love, the source of true safety and security.

At the foot of a hill a pool of water had formed after overnight rain. I stopped behind a van that was allowing oncoming traffic through that narrow section of the road. A large truck then appeared, and the van driver began to reverse towards me to give the truck room to pass. I did not have time to move away, so I called for the driver to stop.

But at the same moment I prayed, knowing that divine Mind was in control, governing everyone at this intersection. The van stopped just inches from my front wheel. In a brief and amicable conversation with the driver, I learned that he had not seen or heard me. I silently thanked God that no incident had taken place and no one was harmed.

A hymn published in the “Christian Science Hymnal” includes these lines:

Thy kingdom, God, within us
     Shows forth Love’s sweet
          control.
God’s idea, man, rejoices;
     He knows the reign of Soul.
(Margaret Glenn Matters, No. 221, © CSBD)

Here, “Love” and “Soul” are used as synonyms for God. Divine Love’s spiritual government is supreme and all-encompassing. As we graciously and wholeheartedly yield to this spiritual reality, we find clear evidence of this government in our lives and activities.