Honor From God -- or From People?

        As one observes the human scene, one can't help noticing that there are people who think they're free, but they're not.  The think they're their own man (or woman), but they're not.  What accounts for this?

        Jesus, speaking centuries ago, sums it up thus:  "I receive not honour from men.  How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? And lastly, "If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me;"

        And St. Paul asking, "Do I seek to please men?  for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ."

        These God-owned giants had it right.  It is having an eye toward getting people's approval and assistance, and not looking to God first for help, that is the problem.  And if this essay helps someone of this class, then I'm happy.

        False, material belief would convince one that he first has to satisfy mere human opinions, expectations, and desires before he can scale the ladder of success. But opportunity is within.  It is not contingent upon human contacts or favorable situations but on what we understand and bring out of our relationship to God. You and I ultimately determine our own advancing usefulness and success--and not people and circumstances, as is often  believed.  And we do this through wholehearted yearning to please God and put Him first, through helping on Christ's work in this world.

       Further, we must be willing to stand up for the real man, the spiritual man we actually are, and to declare unlimited ability for this man of God's creating.  In reality we exist as God's representatives. Consequently, each one of us is entitled to feel needed, to live confidently and unafraid of what others think, to see our talents employed in greater service to mankind.

              But, I can hear someone saying,"If I don't please so-and-so (or perhaps several so-and-so's), they can deprive me of opportunity and success."  That person may know in his heart that bowing to mere human power is not in line with his highest sense of right. Or what's worse, going along with what he knows is downright wrong. But he has to have his job, or keep his relationships, or whatever. He hasn't the courage to stand up and put God in first place.

          Of course, no one is expected to give up a right sense of employment and go live under a bridge somewhere in order to honor God.  No, we can do this whatever the human activity we may be engaged in.  And as we do this, we're honored, in a manner of speaking, with recognition and reward, and with a wonderful feeling of being really free. As Jesus says, "If any man serve me, him will my Father honour."

        Fortunately, our heavenly Father can (and does) adjust our lives such that we're able to be about His business.  And He certainly can (and does) bestow everything we need to do what He wants us to do with our lives.

        We all have our God-appointed place and purpose.  No one else can fill that place, nor can we carry out another's mission.  Mrs. Eddy writes, "Each individual must fill his own niche in time and eternity."Retrospection and Introspection, p. 70