To drive in safety

Most of us appreciate the value of safe driving. But how can we avoid mishaps resulting from mechanical breakdowns, weather conditions, irresponsible drivers? Isn't it a question of always being in the right place at the right time? As we understand something of God's all-embracing power and presence, and of man's inseparable relationship to Him, we'll recognize that divine guidance is always available, that God's loving care protects us and preserves harmony.

The Bible implies that God, divine wisdom and intelligence, is the one infinite Mind, governing His universe in perfect harmony. We can trust this supreme intelligence to guide us safely. As we read in Proverbs, ''Whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.''n1

n1 Proverbs 29:25.

Slogans such as ''Survive this drive,'' which have appeared recently on Australian highways, have reminded me of the time some years ago when my driving could well have been described as ''survival of the fastest!'' At that time I lived in a state where one could legally exceed the recommended speed limit on open highways. When I found myself trailing another vehicle, I always wanted to overtake it. Consequently both my habitual driving speed and the number of slower vehicles in my path gradually increased. And my patience with my fellow drivers correspondingly decreased. So when I moved to another state with strict highway speed limits, I had a problem.

I prayed about the situation, realizing, in accord with Scriptural teachings, that there's only one God, one universal Mind, and that man is God's spiritual image. I recognized that my identity, and everyone's, was actually the individualized expression, or idea, of Mind. I saw that in reality every individual is guided rightly by this Mind. I began to realize that God could not allow His unerring ideas to stray from their right path and that accident or injury had no place under His jurisdiction. I found inspiration and calm confidence in these words from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science: ''Accidents are unknown to God, or immortal Mind, and we must leave the mortal basis of belief and unite with the one Mind, in order to change the notion of chance to the proper sense of God's unerring direction and thus bring out harmony.''n2

n2 Science and Health, p. 424.

I realized that in proportion as I strove to obey God, divine Principle, Love , by strictly observing the law, ''God's unerring direction'' would ensure that I was in the right place at the right time. My journeys would then become more harmonious, both for me and for my fellow drivers. Also, I began to see that my right place was, in the truest sense, not a locality but the consciousness of my unity with the one unerring Mind and its laws of harmony. These laws, I saw, would be proved to a greater degree in my life as I learned to express such God-given qualities as obedience, patience, and love.

My driving experience changed dramatically. It goes without saying that I was careful. Also, there seemed to be fewer slow-moving vehicles on my route, and when one did show up, it would often turn off the highway at the precise moment I reached it, or could be overtaken safely. God's guiding presence became for me a permanent source of happy driving. And I was able to view the occasional traffic delay with equanimity, knowing that what appeared to be an inconvenience could well be a source of protection.

In his extensive travels on the dusty roads of Palestine, Christ Jesus' appearances along the way were always timely. The Bible doesn't tell us he ever felt delayed or frustrated. Right purpose, noble achievement, and complete fulfillment characterized his healing ministry.

The Christ-power that Jesus lived so fully is with us always. Through prayer we can feel its guiding, harmonizing presence and deny the false laws of chance that would disrupt our journeys and leave us at the mercy of accident. Such falsities have no more power than we might give them through our belief in them.

Everyone can avail himself of God's love and His ever-present law of harmony, knowing that he is in the right place, always safe, in God. DAILY BIBLE VERSE Ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the Lord will go before you. Isaiah 52:12