What do you want?

The Psalmist had an insight centuries ago that impelled him to sing, ''The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.'' n1 What had he seen? Wasn't it the present reality of God's tender, complete care for His creation?

n1 Psalms 23:1.

Centuries later John affirmed God's loving nature so simply when he said, ''God is love.'' n2 Think of it! God is unchanging Love itself, and He maintains His spiritual creation in perpetual harmony. What more could we want?

n2 I John 4:16.

Perhaps this seems utterly abstract and ideal. The conventional view positions God and man far apart, and fills the space between with an uncertain material universe governed by evil forces as well as good. Such a view portrays man as subject to chance, breakdown, failure, and emptiness. A feeling of lack comes from identifying with this view, from believing that we are victimized mortals, separate from God, subject to deprivation.

But Christian Science asserts that we can improve on such a view (because it is essentially inaccurate) and in so doing improve the evidence that God indeed provides for all His creation in all ways. Through this Science we come to see, and prove, that from a spiritual standpoint supply is always equal to demand.

We can tell that our view of God needs clarifying when we start feeling that there are things we need but don't have. Or when we find ourselves praying for things instead of for a clearer understanding of God and man.

Not that we should ignore our own or our neighbor's legitimate needs. Christ Jesus showed great compassion toward humanity through his healing works, and he commanded his followers to live in accord with his example. But his healings were much more than the humanitarian alleviation of disease or lack. They were clear, powerful proofs of spiritual reality, of the truth of God's eternal care for His offspring and of His infinite love. They revealed the necessity of making our first priority an understanding of God and the cultivation of Godliness.

Centuries later, Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, reaffirmed the divine source of all good with these words, which are often displayed on the walls of Christian Science churches: ''Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need.'' n3

n3 Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 494.

Daily prayer based on an understanding of God's allness, goodness, and nearness can help remove fear and tension and open to us a clearer apprehension of the present reality of His love. This prayer doesn't have to be verbalized or formalized. It can take the form of a humble, yet eager, expectation of good. We can also develop a greater sense and freer expression of gratitude for what we already know of God's goodness and perfection. Whenever I seem to be lacking something - funds, inspiration, affection - I can usually find a situation where someone else needs my unselfish, God-based giving. Yielding to that demand invariably brings proof of God's infinite provision for me.

So as we let God be God and know that He is God, always caring for His creation, we'll more consistently enjoy the great abundance He is bestowing on us right now. It may at first take the form of a clearer awareness of Love's presence. And then appear as a complete resolution of our particular need. We'll find ourselves singing along with the Psalmist, not only ''not wanting,'' but filled with a higher confidence that, in his words, ''Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.'' n4

n4 Psalms 23:6.

DAILY BIBLE VERSE My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus: Philippians 4:19