In studying for this week’s lesson, I found the following from Association Addresses by Bicknell Young, page 18-19 of the 1933 address:
A Christian Scientist should walk the earth, even though it still appears to be material, in the grandeur of real being. The grandeur is not pride and it is not the ordinary conception of humility; it is the naturalness of infinite Love, the “I and my father are one.” (John 10:30) He may meet difficulties, obstructions may appear; the belief of time may confront him; even the suggestion that he cannot clearly see the course to follow a day in advance. Yet none of these things move him or retard the resistless energy and harmonious outcome of his divine activity.
“Michael’s characteristic is spiritual strength. He leads the hosts of heaven against the power of sin, Satan, and fights the holy wars. Gabriel has the more quiet task of imparting a sense of the ever-presence of ministering Love. These angels deliver us from the depths. Truth and Love come nearer in the hour of woe, when strong faith or spiritual strength wrestles and prevails through the understanding of God. The Gabriel of His presense has no contests. To infinite, ever-present Love, all is Love, and there is no sin, sickness, or death.” (Science and Health 566:30-8) Possibly at times one finds that he must be Michael, and at other times Gabriel, and sometimes both. For Michael and Gabriel are one in power and purpose, and one in achievement. Science and Health says: “Angels are God’s representatives.” (299:11-12) Representing God they necessarily represent the immeasurable affluence of the infinity of good. Therefore any material suggestion or sense contrary to this representation is to be rejected and nullified by Mind.
It is not Truth that is troubling us, nor is there anything that resembles Truth that could trouble us. Error alone is troublesome, and Truth alone is the remedy.
I was grateful for this, because I know through what I have learned here that the angel was not a material being. The angel represented God’s idea, and was impressing itself on Balaam so strongly that even his donkey felt it. Of course, the animal was being directed by Balaam into the error, yet it could feel the trouble the error was bringing, thus the unruliness. (Makes me feel that it is malpractice to think that donkeys are stubborn!) Once Balaam saw the error, and got his thought right, he was able to be useful to God.
There have been moments where my car or computer doesn’t work correctly — something the would have made me very angry before — but the wonderful teaching that I am getting here has me looking to God right away. I know to ask, “What error is bringing this trouble?” and “What must I do to get right with you, Father?” I only know this because of the authentic Christian Science I am learning here, and I am so grateful for these lessons! Thank you!