The fast track, or the right track?

MUCH is written today about the fast track for those intent on early success. There has always been some crawling up over the backs of others, ascending the ladder to fame and riches. What is disturbing is the degree to which it seems to be accepted today as the right track by so many. The fast-track approach has already enticed too many victims. Some have ruined their lives by resorting to drugs and alcohol to ease the stress. Some have sacrificed their homes and families and found themselves desperately alone and unhappy. They might well ask, ``Was the fast track the right track? And what is the right track, anyway?''

Well, there is a right track, and it's not necessarily a slow one.

When he was twelve, Christ Jesus was already well aware that he was about his Father's business. And in his thirty-three years he left a greater impact upon humanity than any other individual in history.

Unbridled ambition certainly wasn't the hallmark of his career. Rather we have his example of love, unselfishness, courage, and forgiveness. Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, writes in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures: ``The divinity of the Christ was made manifest in the humanity of Jesus.''1 And later in the same book she writes, ``Out of the amplitude of his pure affection, he defined Love.''2

It's in the pure Christly love that Jesus expressed that we find the right track. We can't really succeed otherwise, not in the truest sense of the term succeed.

In one of John's epistles we're told that ``God is love.''3 To accept Christ Jesus as the Son of God is really to accept him, then, as the Son of Love. Jesus taught that in actuality we all are the children of God. Aren't we, then, the offspring of Love?

This understanding can be practical for us in our careers. But it takes a sincere commitment to live Christian love --not merely human, personally based love but the pure, unrestricted spiritual love that springs from divine Love.

A Christian seeks to follow Jesus' example of love. He seeks to obey the teachings of Christianity. Mrs. Eddy has given a rule to members of her Church, part of which reads, ``In Science, divine Love alone governs man; and a Christian Scientist reflects the sweet amenities of Love, in rebuking sin, in true brotherliness, charitableness, and forgiveness.''4

Once I participated in a large meeting with a field representative of an organization. He gave a status report on some important activities, and I spoke up in what I now see was a rather self-righteous way in response.

The field representative was a Christian Scientist, a loving, kindhearted man. He replied gently with a twinkle in his eye. His response was direct and made sense. I didn't take it as a rebuke. Instantly, however, I appreciated its intelligence.

I was touched. He said nothing more about my behavior, but I felt that he had seen through the arrogant attitude I had expressed. He had known it wasn't part of my true nature as the son of God, the offspring of Love. But he had gone further. I could tell he had forgiven me. Never in my life had I been so lovingly and effectively rebuked. We remain close friends. What is interesting, and to the point, is that both of us have continued to progress and have had success in our careers.

True Christian love is not only the right track. It's the fastest possible track to success in the most important career there is, the career of being about our Father's business in whatever job or profession we find ourselves employed.

1Science and Health, p. 25. 2Ibid., p. 54. 3I John 4:16. 4Manual of The Mother Church, Art. VIII, Sect. 1. You can find more articles like this one in the Christian Science Sentinel, a weekly magazine. DAILY BIBLE VERSE: This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. John 15:12