Posted on: Saturday, November 23, 2002

EXPRESSIONS OF FAITH
The divine governs in true form

By Seaward B. Grant

This year for the first time, Hawai'i will have a woman as chief executive. Linda Lingle's hard work and persistence helped secure her victory in the gubernatorial election.

She stands on the shoulders of other women who have changed history.

During the 19th century, women such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony were working diligently to secure the rights of women to vote, hold positions in government and own property.

At the same time Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910) had been making a significant impact on the world, fulfilling many of her own dreams. Although she died before women won the right to vote, she established an international newspaper, founded a worldwide religion and wrote a book on spiritual healing that's still read by people all over the world.

In 1906, the Boston Post wrote: "One does not need to accept the doctrines of Mrs. Eddy to recognize the fact that this wonderful woman is a world power."

Faithful to their vision

What most interests me about these women's lives, though, has been their ability to see beyond their immediate experience — that is, how they remained faithful to their vision, no matter what the circumstance.

Women and men throughout history have been looking beyond their own limited experience, envisioning a better world. To me, this is a promise that no one is limited by age, gender, generation, or society. We have infinite possibilities in achieving good.

Like other pioneers in history, we may face challenges, yet we can meet these through faith in the underlying divine principle of good.

Transcending limitation

I have found in my own life that as I yield to the greater government of the divine, I achieve good for myself and others. When I step beyond old patterns of selfishness and fear into the perception of unlimited good, I can transcend limitation. I believe this kind of daily work expresses the truest form of government for all.

As the state of Hawai'i begins its new administration, let each of us begin to administer our own righteous self-government.

We need not occupy high political office to do this. Our individual administration of self-government can bless ourselves, our communities and all mankind.

Seaward B. Grant is on the Christian Science Committee on Publication for Hawai'i and a member of First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Honolulu.

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