“The discoverer of Christian Science finds the path less difficult when she has the high goal always before her thoughts, than when she counts her footsteps in endeavoring to reach it. When the destination is desirable, expectation speeds our progress.” (Science and Health, page 426)

The marginal heading on this paragraph in our textbook reads “Our footsteps heavenward.” We are being encouraged to know that we are ascending, not merely moving forward humanly. Our work and prayer and spiritual growth is not about a human process of achievement. It is an upward way to understanding of reality.

While this passage surely applies to any human endeavor we may aspire to, the high goal is never to attain personal success; for with a sense of mere human accomplishment as our aim our movement will not be toward heaven, but remain earthbound, limited. Personal wealth, fame, or self-centered attainments are never going to be a high goal, a holy one. These are worldly allurements, which are not the desirable destinations to which our leader refers.

Our progress is sped by focusing on the goal of spiritual awareness, of an expanded vision of life. We should see that what we seek is the mount of revelation, not some particular human goal. God’s inspiration and the possibilities this brings for our human experience are not nearly so limited. The vision from the mount, from a more exalted, spiritual viewpoint, always reveals the true destination and gets us there more directly, more wisely, and with more real and deep satisfaction and peace, and blessings for us and for all.

This is today’s e-inspire. These messages are based on passages from the Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy. These books are our “pastor” in Christian Science. Come back every Tuesday and Thursday for fresh inspiration. Or get a free subscription to receive an inspirational message like this one every morning directly to your inbox by contacting me at lamolitercs@aol.com. A downloadable compilation of categorized messages is also available by request.