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Is this the right time for a move?

A Christian Science perspective.

  • By Curt Wahlberg

The economy is still a serious concern for many people. And of course, society in general continues to evolve in so many new ways that perhaps no one expected. With all that in mind, sometimes the coming of a new year can feel like the time to make big changes – a move to a new home or a different part of the country, a new job, or a new way of approaching different aspects of life and health.

Of course, the key to staying on top of things is not simply to make changes or to move somewhere else. Yet a move can be helpful in keeping pace with what we need to be doing. By not blindly assuming that our life’s answers will be found somewhere else, we can make a difference in empowering ourselves to tackle our current challenges. But in tackling challenges, we’d do well to stay aware of how changes in our life may be needed.

So what else needs to be in mind when considering a move? The Bible certainly has some counsel. In the book of Jeremiah, the people come to the prophet and ask that he “pray for us unto the Lord thy God ... That the Lord thy God may shew us the way wherein we may walk, and the thing that we may do” (see 42:1-3).

God is an important part of the answer to our big questions. After all, He is our creator, the divine Principle and cause of our lives. Monitor founder Mary Baker Eddy saw this. God proved fundamental for her in every action, from starting this newspaper to choosing where to live while overseeing the work of the paper and everything associated with her church and publishing house. And her experience suggests that right moves necessarily relate to living in accord with God.

She wrote: “God is the fountain of light, and He illumines one’s way when one is obedient. The disobedient make their moves before God makes His, or make them too late to follow Him. Be sure that God directs your way; then, hasten to follow under every circumstance” (“Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896,” p. 117).

Knowing the right move and the right time for the move is ultimately a function of being in accord with God, our divine Principle. When wondering about a move, I’ve found it helpful to ask myself these questions: How can I better live according to God’s will? How can I better honor Him with my life? How do I express through myself my Creator’s nature? More specifically, in regard to a new course of action, how will this move help me express my God-given purpose? Certainly, that can be hard to truly know, but an honest desire to see things in such terms helps push me closer to knowing the right move to make.

And maybe we should be content in the process of getting ideas or thoughts that get us closer to knowing what God’s purpose for us really is. We can build a better life by taking the little steps of seeking to live in accord with God in our present daily activities and the simple things. And if the time comes to make a big move, there will be a right momentum leading us to make the right decision.

There is a God who dearly cares for us and our every move. Letting Him take over each moment will ensure the right move at the right time.

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