Lessons In Truth - Lesson 11 - Annotation 10
Should we measure our work by what others have done?
10. No, we cannot truly measure our work by what others have done for to do so would be using the wrong standard. The only true "measuring stick" is Truth, and this will bring out the different potentials of each individual. Our text says
"To be the greatest success, you do not want my gift, nor do I want yours; each wants his own, such as will fit his size and shape, his capacity and desires, such as not the human mind of us, but the highest in us, shall choose" (Emilie Cady Lessons In Truth 11:35).
In the world there are various standards to meet the varying needs of humanity. We have, for instance, educational requirements, health standards, moral codes, religious rules, and each will be right for each person's particular level of unfoldment until it is time to make changes. God's standard never changes and each creation, including man, has within it the law of its own expression. Each of us express God's life, love, power, strength, wisdom, faith, order, at the level we now find ourselves. Thus, if we attempt to measure our work, our stage of spiritual unfoldment, by that of another, we are taking our attention away from the pattern (or plan) God placed in us. It would be as foolish as for the daisy to look at the rose and feel that it had not accomplished a laudable work because it did not have the beauty, color, or perfume of the rose.
However, we may use the lives of others as examples of what can be done individually. Jesus is our "Great Example," and we are to seek to unfold our divine pattern or nature as He did. We may view the lives of those who have added to the world's progress and see that each one followed his own inner divine urge. Many a person, whom the world does not acknowledge, has done his work quietly, faithfully, successfully and has indirectly made possible for another what the world acclaims as success. How many fathers, mothers, teachers, ministers have gone quietly about the work given them to do and produced in others a desire to do a work that contributes to the welfare of all humanity! Who is to say that the one who receives the world's acclaim has done a greater work then the one who gave him the impetus to go ahead?
Our true work is the expanding of our own consciousness, the developing of our own talents and abilities. To do this we must go farther than measure our life or our work by what another person has accomplished. Our "measuring stick" must always be our own indwelling Christ. The unfoldment and spiritual growth of two persons may require two very different methods. For one person the necessity may be for a life of activity, even of public service; yet for the other person it may be a life of quiet, of withdrawal from his fellows. The world at large may consider the first a great success, the latter a failure, but this would be to use a false "measuring stick."
Each of us becomes the greatest success by using the qualities of Spirit within in the way that is right for him, not by envying or imitating what another is doing.
"Your greatest work will be done in your own God-appointed channel" (page 123, Para. 22, Lessons in Truth).
No two of us unfold or grow in the same way, and it is the diversity of the expressions of God in men that gives zest to life. Each man's goal should be to cultivate his own gifts that they may be brought forth under grace and in divine order, knowing that this is God's plan, or will, for him.
Lord, let my work contribute to Thy plan,
My labor serve Thee and my fellow man
Be this my goal.' a perfect work expressed,
Each task completed at my present best.
Best Loved Unity Poems 161
Elizabeth D. Schumann
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Preceding Entry: What is the grace of God?
Following Entry: What is meant by "unity of the Spirit"? Why is the idea of oneness or unity of the Spirit important?
