Renewal is always possible, in life or at work

Years ago when a naturalist and I stood on the banks of Lake Michigan, a look of intrigue crossed her face. She bent down, put her hand in the water, and said, “What do you know. The lake has turned over.” Knowing this had happened by feeling the temperature of the water, she explained that a natural seasonal phenomenon occurs in the Great Lakes when the intersection of specific properties – surface temperature, water density, stratification, and displacement – reaches a “tipping point.” This results in a complete overturning of the lake from border to border, bank to bank.

The significance of this process is illumined for me by this statement by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science: “Nature voices natural, spiritual law and divine Love, but human belief misinterprets nature. Arctic regions, sunny tropics, giant hills, winged winds, mighty billows, verdant vales, festive
flowers, and glorious heavens, – all point to Mind, the spiritual intelligence they reflect” (“Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” p. 240).

What practical message might be available to us through this natural, spiritual law – especially at times of uncertainty or fear?

At times we may be inclined to assume for ourselves what might be assumed about the lake – that a total overturning is impossible. We may think that our time frame to contribute has expired. Or, we may be so familiar with our perceived limits that we cannot imagine things rearranged or expanded. But these beliefs are not true when we look through the lens of spiritual law.

Christ Jesus never accepted, or operated within, limits. Every difficulty he encountered, he sought to “turn over.” He instantaneously healed birth defects, reversed death, forgave sins that would have had a woman stoned to death, and transformed character traits. Old paradigms of thought were eradicated, and fresh hopes were born.

Sometimes the turning over of life circumstances may be a step-by-step process. But just as the surface of Lake Michigan gradually heats up and a thermocline develops deep beneath the surface, so can the properties of our lives move toward a tipping point yet unseen – a healing breakthrough that addresses whatever our current challenge may be.

Years ago I experienced this. In a job that was no longer a good fit, I was completely unclear about my next step, especially in a shifting marketplace. I prayed diligently. I knew that God’s law of good offers security and progress. As a student of Christian Science, I have also learned not to act precipitously.

Then unexpectedly, a place became available for me to rent during my vacation time. While there, a new work opportunity for me emerged. More quickly than I could have imagined, I moved house and started a new project that lasted many abundant years.

At times of uncertainty, we can affirm God’s omnipotence. Appealing to God’s natural laws of good, we can trust progress to occur in its own way and time, bringing satisfaction and renewal. The lake of our lives can indeed turn over.