Finding a summer job

FINDING a summer job is a very important project for a great number of students. It may determine whether they go back to school next fall, whether they keep the car they need, whether other promising personal plans are fulfilled. One of the vital truths in Christian Science that applies to finding a summer job is that divine Love, or God, provides whatever His children require. In order to prove this, it follows that the most important preparation for finding a job is prayer. Most Christians would agree that the more our prayers are imbued with the spirit and conviction that characterized Jesus' prayers, the more effective they will be. Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, writes, ``It is neither Science nor Truth which acts through blind belief, nor is it the human understanding of the divine healing Principle as manifested in Jesus, whose humble prayers were deep and conscientious protests of Truth,--of man's likeness to God and of man's unity with Truth and Love.'' 1 Someone who is setting out to find a summer job--or any job--will find a deep sense of peace and comfort when his first steps are not along the pavement but along the mental avenue of insisting humbly that in truth both prospective employees and prospective employers are children of God, governed by God to glorify Him fully and forever. God is infinite good, who creates all that exists as His perfect manifestation. In the absolute truth of being, man is not the mortal he appears to the senses to be but God's highest expression, Love's sublimest work. Man does not lack anything. He is not looking around for a job or for an opportunity to express God. He is now in his right and only place--in God's universe--actively expressing all His qualities. To think in these terms, to realize that this is truth, is to pray effectively about employment. Such humble prayer is far from simply holding a mental picture of some good we hope will appear. Rather, it involves turning away from material dreams, however desirable we may think they are, and striving to discern God's reality--with its harmony and perfect care for each one--as the only fact right now. So if someone has been tensely looking for a summer job he feels he badly needs, wouldn't he be wise to realize the importance of looking for a clearer understanding of perfect God and perfect man? Christ Jesus said, ``Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.'' 2 The ``things added'' include whatever we genuinely need, for God is above all else unutterable, tender Love. Would an affectionate mother ever withhold any good from her child? By the same rule, our heavenly Father-Mother never withholds any good from man. Mrs. Eddy writes: ``Now this self-same God is our helper. He pities us. He has mercy upon us, and guides every event of our careers.'' 3 If we have certain legitimate needs, they will be met, and if that means finding a job, it will appear. Jesus proved this to be true. The Gospels show that his needs and those of his disciples were always supplied through God's law of unerring love. Sometimes the provision came through what some would call miraculous channels, such as a fish's mouth.4 Healing sometimes means overcoming whatever false influence would keep us from the clear spiritual view that will show us the right way to pay our bills. We may have to pray earnestly for this healing. But when we do, we win. Or rather, God wins. Mrs. Eddy writes, ``Be of good cheer; the warfare with one's self is grand; it gives one plenty of employment, and the divine Principle worketh with you,--and obedience crowns persistent effort with everlasting victory.'' 5 In truth, man isn't a mortal who has to struggle against other mortals for a few jobs, or against some impersonal economic climate. Man is God's spiritual, eternally blessed offspring, and God forever gives each one of us a niche to fill. When we work humbly and fervently at our first job--to know and express our spiritual identity--we find our right human place and activity. It is God's law of kindest love. It is at work for you. Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 12. 2 Matthew 6:33. 3 Un- ity of Good, pp. 3-4. 4 See Matthew 17:27. 5 Miscellaneous Writings, p. 118.