'. . . perfect and entire, wanting nothing'

What a wonderful state - to be utterly complete! ''Let patience have her perfect work,'' we read in the Bible, ''that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.'' n1

n1 James 1:14

But can we ever hope to achieve this state? Yes, in the degree that our eyes are opened to the truth of being. The Psalmist must have glimpsed this truth when he sang, ''The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.'' n2

n2 Psalms 23:1

Not want? What about the need for companionship or employment, for direction, health, or simply enough income to put food on the table? Fulfillment of these legitimate needs seems to elude many. Yet it is available through a change of thought - through a spiritualization of thought that enables us to discern God's constant care for man.

Human reason, when based solely on the evidence of the five senses, tells us we're at the mercy of circumstances. It argues that the circumstances of our birth or gender, of our racial, ethnic, or educational background, have the power to limit our progress. It claims that the weather, our age, our locale, the condition of our bank balance, among other things, can leave us in a no-win situation, can prevent us from controlling our own destiny.

Yet our God-given spiritual sense, heightened through prayer, reveals man as the image of his creator, God, and under the eternal government of God's benevolent law. It shows that we can reverse the dead-end theories of materiality. We can turn toward the light of spiritual understanding and view our lives with new perception.

Knowing who we actually are helps us realize our possibilities. The conviction that man's true identity is the cherished child of the one perfect Parent opens the door to limitless opportunities for good, and we're able to leave behind nagging fears.

In the Christian Science textbook, Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, writes, ''Science reveals the possibility of achieving all good, and sets mortals at work to discover what God has already done; . . .'' n3 The truth of what God has done was brought to human apprehension by Moses and the prophets and especially by Christ Jesus, who proved through his healing works the perfect spiritual reality of man and the inseparability of creator and creation.

n3 Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 260.

What we need is a growing trust in the divine inspiration that comes through prayer (uplifting human reasoning to a higher, spiritual basis), and a moment-by-moment turning to God as the source of all good, all substance. Through frequent communion with God - listening to Him without editorial comment - we gain confidence in His ability to care for our needs. We discern more readily our spiritual identity, which is always complete, and more of this completeness comes to light in our lives.

Jesus said, ''With God all things are possible.'' n4 Do you doubt this? I might, if I hadn't seen so much evidence to support the Master's words. For example, after years of unsuccessful medical treatment I was healed of a chronic respiratory ailment deemed incurable, upon learning something of my real, spiritual identity. Through this understanding of man my husband was healed of a desire to take his own life, and found a new and rewarding career. A lovely child was born to us after many years of failure to conceive, and at least one miscarriage. This child, now a lovely young woman, has in turn had many healings through relying on spiritual means alone. All of them are proof of the power inherent in trusting our entire well-being to Spirit, God.

n4 Matthew 19:26

As we more fully trust God to be our Shepherd, our Mind and guide in all thought and action, limitations begin to dissolve. We can then say with conviction born of proof, ''I shall not want''! DAILY BIBLE VERSE I am the Lord, I change not. . . . Bring ye all the Tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Malachi 3:6, 10