How I Used Truth - Lesson 3 - Annotation 2
What does God's name designate?
2. God's name designates all the good there is. In this course we have learned to say that God is Absolute Good, so His "name" (which is His nature) refers to His will of Absolute Good for man and for all creation. God Himself being Absolute Good is also the source of all the good that comes into visible expression in the world of form.
When Moses received the commission to bring the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage, he hesitated concerning his ability and authority. But, we read in Scripture,
"God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you" (Exodus 3:14).
Thus we have scriptural authority that; God's name is "I AM THAT I AM."
According to Webster's dictionary, to designate is "to point out, to make known; to indicate." Thus the "name" of God (or any name that we might use to designate Him) points out or calls our attention to the supreme power and authority that rules the universe and all contained therein. Whether we say "Divine Mind" or "Principle" or "Creator" we are aware that we are referring to this Being we call God. God's "name" calls our attention to the intelligence that is working everywhere, throughout every species of creation, to bring good into visibility. When we are thus reminded that God is in charge of the universe, it arouses in us a respect for the orderly, lawful working of all of God's creation.
"The starting point in spiritual realization is a right understanding of that One designated as the Almighty (Charles Fillmore Christian Healing 8).
Our understanding of God as the source of Absolute Good is indeed "the starting point in spiritual realization." If the "name" of God has only meant to us some outside Power, some Being withdrawn from our lives, a Creator who has left us to struggle alone in an unfriendly universe, then we do not have a right understanding of God our Creator. In such an event, the speaking of God's "name" does not designate the Truth, but only our limited conception.
When we have an understanding of the nature of God as all the good there is, every time the name "God" (or any name used to designate Him) comes to our attention we become conscious that
There is but one Presence and one Power in the universe, God, the Good, omnipotent"
and that Paul was referring to the same thing when he said,
"One God and Father of all who is over all, and through all, and in all" (Eph. 4:6).
If we have to meet a situation of inharmony with anyone and we turn first in our thoughts to God, the very recalling of His name should remind us that "God is in charge." To know God as the only Presence and Power is to let His law of love bring about harmony and peace where there has been the appearance of disorder and inharmony.
Because God's "name" designates Absolute Good, it thus includes health, vitality, wholeness. Should we be facing a challenge of ill-health in our own body or in that of a dear one, we will find that just the speaking of God's name can center our mind on God life moving as the only activity in the body.
Having accepted the truth that God is all the good there is, we come to know Him as the source of our prosperity. No matter what appearance of lack may be manifesting in our outer experiences, we need to hold to the truth that God is All-Good. To turn our thoughts Godward is to make them channels for the free flow of God substance (i.e., ideas of abundance) into our life and affairs.
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Preceding Entry: What is the purpose of a name?
Following Entry: What is the meaning of I AM?
