What is a sure guide to your best development?

Life is like a game of chess. 

With some types, you can know in advance just what sort of moves they will make under given conditions, and what conditions they will create under certain combinations of emotions or feeling. 

Spirit-lives can, for instance, tell in advance, with absolute certainty, what some people will do if confronted with poverty or loss of any sort. 

A fine, strong nature, with a closely-knit will, never fails to rise and put forth greater effort than before—

A weak, selfish nature whines, and then looks for an easy berth—a pleasant way out. 

To these latter, physical ease and freedom from responsibility are always sought, and excuses given for accepting them when even personal honour is sacrificed.

No strong soul ever yields to dishonour—

No matter what the pressure from without. 

Only a weakling prefers physical ease to death when such an issue presents itself. 

Will is free—

Always. 

But only the strong make destiny or the path carved out of life by will—

Will and desire.

There is no future spirit-lives can read in advance, for a strong soul—at any moment—may alter the course of his life and create a different environment. 

Spirit-lives cannot see the inner flash of conviction, which directs one soul this way and another that.

When anyone becomes aware of the fact that he is in a school, with tasks before him, which must be mastered, he then gravitates toward the environment where this or that lesson can be best learned. 

There is a centre in each, which if perceived will be a sure guide to one's best development.

Like a magnet, it will draw to you all the requisite tools or conditions, for the performance of your necessary work. 

It is in very truth the voice of God, and it comes only from within. 

You must listen to that inner voice. 

It is there—

If you only knew or had faith to believe.

Look at the history of all so-called Holy ones. 

Contemplation, silence, prayer and retirement were large factors in the life of each. 

Why? 

They were waiting in the silence, for the voice of God to speak from their own centre.

We prattle a lot of God, but how many realise, for a moment, that it is the personal presence of God at the centre of each which enables him to exist?

God is Life. 

God is the Creator, and He creates constantly, continuously throughout the universe. 

That is the secret of life. 

God is behind and through everything, from a rock to a man, planet or sun. 

All have life. 

All vibrate. 

All move. 

Law is the will of God. 

It is the fundamental impulse of living—

The push from within.

Force is the greater unit of life. 

Or—

Putting it another way—

A forceful man is one who has gathered gradually to his centre more of God—more of creative power. 

As any soul opens his mind to truth, more light flows into him—through him. 

God is within each, but not all of God—

Only a fragment. 

The plan is to add to this fragment from without until it becomes greater and greater. 

By looking within, you become aware of the nature of God or Life. 

Then you may recognise Him when you see Him without.

When you know God, you have the key to all wisdom, for you gather only true knowledge and encumber your soul with nothing valueless.

Knowledge is power. 

Why? 

Because you are then carrying no weights whatever but are free to advance and to serve. 

You are like a splendid athlete stripped for battle or contest—

Every ounce counts. 

There is no waste anywhere—

No drag or impediment. 

You can then carve your own fortune, direct your own destiny. 

You are then free.

When you have this power, you can master circumstances, as easily as a man wades a brook.

Jesus had the power to conquer an earthly kingdom, but with that power came the wisdom to see how paltry and childish such ambitions are. 

The possession of dead riches is unworthy of the desire of an adult human soul. 

The living treasure of the hearts of men was the kingdom Jesus sought—

The kingdom of Heaven within each human heart.

Locked within each living thing lies the treasure—

God. 

Jesus tried to open these inner doors and disclose to each soul its eternal riches. 

Love only can penetrate into the inner recesses of any soul—

Love, patience and hope. 

The doors may be thick, but no matter how far below the surface the light is buried, it is surely there, awaiting discovery, liberation. 

If it were not there, life—even of body—would be extinct. 

While there is life, there is hope is only too true—

Hope that today someone may love enough to open that heart and free the imprisoned glory.

When you criticise or condemn, you are thickening the wall between that person's God and the light without. 

When you insist upon his goodness—his better nature—you are removing some of the entombing material and helping him toward freedom and light. 

You must believe in everyone's best. 

That is one of the greatest lessons Jesus tried to teach—

Charity toward all. 

Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. 

He knew those who persecuted him were building walls about their own hearts, darkening their own lives.

It is almost Christmas time. 

Think of what that means—

Live the Christ-life more fully. 

Try to love with a deeper, truer, more intelligent love, serving all who touch your life by a splendid faith in their best. 

Have the humble spirit of one who knows his own limitations. 

No one can feel superior so long as there lies in his own mind an uncharitable thought for any other.

Give yourself this test of faith, and see how you can emerge from it. 

You are a child of God.