Acknowledge God as a living God — ever-present, deserving our praise, and giving us fresh inspiration.  We rejoice that God will never withhold anything good from us … and pray that we will continue to love doing God’s will, keep His law in our hearts, seek Him, and magnify His goodness.  When something is magnified sufficiently, all else disappears.  Then, all we can see is what has been enlarged in thought — divine Life!

We don’t need to struggle through life, hoping to earn God’s approval.  But we do need to seek God, as the Golden Text tells us. Seeking includes acknowledging God’s presence as a constant that is lovingly guiding us — and all.  Checking out the Hebrew word that seek comes from, we find it includes the idea of asking and diligently inquiring.  If, humanly, you really want to know something, you take the time to investigate, give the subject your sincere attention, and put into practice what you’re learning.  Same thing, here.  In all we do, we need to really desire to see things from God’s perspective — seek God’s view!  From that comes a full sense of living!  The Amplified Bible translates the Golden Text this way: “You who seek God [requiring Him as your greatest need], let your heart revive and live.”  A revived heart is an encouraged heart (CEV translation).  So … if you’re ever feeling down, discouraged, or alone … seek God!  Look for the presence of Love and beauty and goodness expressed in the tiniest of ways.  Focus on those things and acknowledge God as their source, knowing there is nothing but God, good!  As a result, you’ll again feel your oneness with God, good, that can never really be severed.

Overview:  References to court and law and wisdom run throughout this week’s Lesson.  It brings out that there really is only one law — the law of Spirit.  Although it seems that we can suffer as a result of breaking a so-called law of matter, this verdict is overturned as we discover that matter is actually just a “belief”; a “human concept;” an “error of statement” and “there is no material truth” — so no material law.  God’s wisdom reveals what is true and what isn’t.  As we take the case to the court of Spirit, we are proclaimed innocent, and there is no more suffering.

To me, this week’s Lesson has a strong focus on the indivisible and permanent relationship of God and man — Soul and its expression. When I think of Soul I think of identity, and Soul’s unlimited expression of such qualities as beauty, creativity, joy, peace, health and harmony — shining through each one completely and uniquely.  Firmly planted and rooted in the kingdom of God, we thrive — our eternal identity forever unfolding in newness and freshness. 

To me, this Lesson, brings out God’s gift of uninterrupted Life that we express completely and forever.  Many years ago I experienced symptoms of heart problems.  At the time I had a young family and was super involved in volunteer work for church, school, and community.  I felt stressed and pulled in a zillion directions.  This difficult period became an opportunity to learn more about Life as God.  The take-away that has been with me ever since was that I didn’t need to struggle to “live life” but Life was living me.  I am — and we EACH are — the active expression of Life itself.  Life is infinite, eternal, full and free.  Being entirely spiritual, it is independent of material limitations — flowing abundantly and without obstruction.  I was healed, and grateful for the liberating lesson learned!

Choosing to be “present with the Lord” we are unimpressed with the reports of matter — whether good or bad.  As we keep thought focused on our oneness with God, Spirit, Life, Truth and Love — the Soul of our being — we find ourselves dwelling in infinite Mind. The outward expression that we call body must naturally express Soul’s freedom and harmony.  We, like Paul, must always give God the credit and glory as we overcome every trial.