Happy New Year!

Ringing in a new year brings the concept of time to the forefront of thought—another year has gone by in the history of mankind. Who hasn’t wished they could have a particular moment back to enjoy again, or even to improve?
 
I like to think of a new year as the perfect opportunity to look at the concept of time from a spiritual standpoint. Several phrases from the Christian Science textbook help me to do this. In the Glossary chapter, Mrs. Eddy defines time as “Mortal measurements; limits, in which are summed up all human acts, thoughts, beliefs, opinions, knowledge” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 595). When I remember that definition, I realize that I don’t want more time. I want less limitation, less human opinions about who I am and what I’m capable of. What I really want are more glimpses of eternity, and I suspect you do too!
 
How do we really tap into the limitless and expansive infinite nature of eternity?
 
In her definition of year, also in the Glossary chapter, Mrs. Eddy points out that “one moment of divine consciousness, or the spiritual understanding of Life and Love, is a foretaste of eternity” (p. 598).
 
I want more of those moments of divine consciousness in 2016. This is how I plan to find them:   

• Think of the divine nature of God just a few moments more than I did last year. Goodness, health, and abundance are God's, and therefore, mine!
• Line myself up with divine Life and realize that He animates me. Weariness, boredom, dull routine is impossible!
• Be more in tune with the qualities of divine Love, and recognize that this impartial and universal force embraces the universe and causes only peace. Love is an active power in the world!
• Realize more each day my unity with Soul. Soul is the artsy side of God. Soul expresses in me beauty, humor, and balance.
• Accept moment by moment that as the expression of divine Spirit, I am safe from discord of any kind because He is my very substance.
• Be a faithful witness to God as Truth in the world. It is not possible that evil of any kind can exert power that belongs only to God, Omnipotence.
• Understand that God, as divine Principle, is the only law governing me and everyone else—local to me or in the farthest corners of the earth. I can expect to see the effect of this good cause each day, everywhere.
• And finally, I can let the Mind be in me, which was also in Christ Jesus. (See Philippians 2:5). Knowing that God is the only Mind operating in the universe is important. What can this knowledge accomplish? Mrs. Eddy points out the benefit this way, “One infinite God, good, unifies men and nations; constitutes the brotherhood of man; ends wars; fulfils the Scripture, 'Love thy neighbor as thyself;' annihilates pagan and Christian idolatry, — whatever is wrong in social, civil, criminal, political, and religious codes; equalizes the sexes; annuls the curse on man, and leaves nothing that can sin, suffer, be punished or destroyed” (p. 340).

 
If you’d also like to leave the limitations of time behind and get a foretaste of eternity, feel free to join me in improving moments by finding the divine at work all around you!
 
You also might like to listen to this 30-minute radio program on what it means to defy time.

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