A change of place?

MOST people, at one time or another, have been faced with the necessity, or desire, for a change of place. It's naturally important to us that we be where we can be happy and successful--that we be where we are most needed. In our endeavor to decide on a place to live, the tendency is to list the pros and cons and then weigh them. Too often this method proves fruitless in making a clear-cut decision. However, there are many who are accustomed to turning to the Bible for solutions. Christ Jesus taught others to search the Scriptures. In Proverbs we read: ``Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.'' 1 It is this acknowledgment of God's power that clears the way and points the right path to follow. This helps us, too, when we fear a change of place. Sometimes when there are changes in government, or in the personnel at our place of employment, we might feel concerned that our position will be jeopardized. Again, we need to hold fast to the fact that God's promises are kept, and that our place in His creation is secure. How comforting it is to feel the warmth of Christ Jesus' assurance ``Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom''! 2 Many years ago my husband and I felt desperately in need of a change of place. We were living in a small town where our business had failed, and there were no available opportunities for earning a living. Before our marriage I had been introduced to Christian Science. One evening I was invited to a Christian Science lecture in a nearby city. The lecturer made a statement that gave me a basis from which to pray. He said, in effect, that a change of place could never make your thinking better, but that a change of thinking could give you a better place. Up to this time I had often felt helpless because my husband had no contacts who could offer him a suitable job; and no one knew of his capabilities. I saw now that if a change of thinking was to give us a better place, I needed to revise my line of thought. So I looked to the Bible and found encouragement in its many statements and promises of God's loving care for His children and of His unerring direction. Turning to Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, I found this definition of God in the Glossary: ``The great I am; the all-knowing, all-seeing, all-acting, all-wise, all-loving, and eternal; Principle; Mind; Soul; Spirit; Life; Truth; Love; all substance; intelligence.'' 3 Accepting this definition as true, I saw that I could leave my husband's capabilities to the Mind that is God. This gave me great freedom and confidence. In the days that followed I did not waver in my trust in that all-knowing, all-seeing, all-acting intelligence. My husband accepted every odd job he could find, and there were times when he was able to be of assistance to those in need. His compassionate concern for others did not go unnoticed. After a few months, there was a telephone call from a city two hundred miles away, offering him a government position there. Two years later, because of changes in government, we felt some apprehension that his job might be terminated. But we were reminded by a Christian Scientist of a vital spiritual truth--that my husband's place in the spiritual realm was secure in divine Mind. And this truth applies to everyone, even though appearances would sometimes contradict it. This is the truth of man as God's offspring, and we clung to that truth. The result was that his position was not only retained but upgraded, with greater opportunities to be of service. Through all of our experiences we can become better acquainted with God as our loving Parent. And we can indeed feel the truth of these words from a hymn: Embosomed deep in Thy dear love, Held in Thy law, I stand: Thy hand in all things I behold, And all things in Thy hand.4 1 Proverbs 3:5, 6. 2 Luke 12:32. 3 Science and Health, p. 587. 4 Christian Science Hymnal, No. 134.