Rest. Rejuvenation. Peace. Progress. Repeat.

Cerro Negro, Nicaragua (c) Gabe Korinek

I had just spent about six years in a work environment that was thrilling in its scope as well as demanding long hours and lots of travel.  After I was laid off and had time to pursue another line of work, I felt that it took me a long time to catch up on my rest.  

And to make matters worse, when I was able to get more sleep and have more quiet time, I started feeling guilty for having this time to myself.  Then, something inside me  cried out "Stop!  It is all right to have a time of rest!"  

As I pursued this idea, I came across a quote from Mary Baker Eddy that helped put this into perspective.

Christianity ... was the demonstration of divine Love casting out error and healing the sick, not merely in the name of Christ, or Truth, but in demonstration of Truth, as must be the case in the cycles of divine light. (from Science and Health, p. 135)

What are the cycles of divine light and what do they do?

The cycles of divine Light are about movement, they move things forward – much like the wheels on a bike. In order for the bike to move forward, the wheels keep turning. As the cycles of light continue, it propels thought forward.

Light is revelation and healing is demonstration.  Both are necessary for the other. So revelation feeds into demonstration; our times of reflection support the times for expression; and prayer opens our eyes to the revealing of Truth, that leads us to revealing the proof.

Even in the language of Genesis, we see this cycle of divine light expressed as evening and morning: evening and morning represent rest and satisfaction which leads to the dawn of new ideas.

Because light is perpetual, progress is perpetual. Because light is inevitable, progress is inevitable. 

These ideas encouraged me to take care of myself and see that the times for rest and rejuvenation are as valuable and necessary for my work as Jesus' times on the mountaintop were necessary for his works in the marketplace.   

The good we do and the love we express continue on uninterrupted in the cycles of divine light.  Nothing can stop the progress of Love.  And whether we find ourselves in a place of holy prayer and stillness or we are in a place of active joy and demanding energy and intelligence, we are in our right place, always progressing.

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