“Thoughts On ‘Government’” is one of a 12 part series of posts reflecting on the songs of Julia Wade’s CD, Solos, with lyrics from the writings of Mary Baker Eddy and Music by Peter Link.

It doesn’t really matter if you’re a Republican, a Democrat, an Independent or in the Conservative or Liberal Party for that matter.  Our true government is not up for re-election, is not debatable, and is not in conflict.

We don’t have to worry about a major shift in policy, or the fiscal viability of our future or even doubt the efficacy of our leadership.  In fact, and here is a statement that you almost never hear regarding government, our government is consistently on solid ground with all its people.

Why?  Because God loves you.  God stands by you.  God keeps you in His constant care.  And God provides for your every need.

Our true government is God’s government, but we have to accept this government into our lives as our ever-present President, King and Monarch.  Then we need to be a great follower.  Simply put, we have to then have faith in our true government.

One of the topics from Mary Baker Eddy’s book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures that I chose to explore in Julia’s new CD is, of course, Government.  It seemed like the perfect time to do it with this fall’s up-coming elections.

I found the exploration to be a most settling experience – one where I realized that whoever gets elected will get my prayerful support and wholehearted patronage.

The opening lyric, straight from Mrs. Eddy’s pen, explains why.

As human thought changes
from one stage to another
of conscious pain and painlessness,
sorrow and joy, —
from fear to hope
and from faith to understanding, —
the visible manifestation
will at last be man
governed by Soul,
not by material sense.

Reflecting God’s government,
man is self-governed.
Reflecting God’s government,
man is self-governed.

The last sentence bore repeating.

As we move through the ups and downs of this life, we are really governed by Soul whether we know it or not, or like it or not.  There’s not much we can do about it so we might as well just get on board and go with it.

If we let material sense govern us, we will definitely run the pitfalls of that regime.  We will definitely get all tangled up in the politics of humanity.  I can’t think of a more difficult job or a more frustrating endeavor.  For the last four years we have all seen how the politics of our own country have worked constantly against one another and dramatically slowed and confused the process of healing.  We often seem stuck in the morass of Washington’s inability to get anything done, and have seen our country split on progress so much so that it’s a wonder if anything gets done at all.

Our song simplifies the solution:

When man is governed by God,
the ever-present Mind
who understands all things,
who understands all things,
man knows that with God
all things are possible.
all things are possible.
man knows that with God
all things are possible.

The ideas come from Mrs. Eddy.  The repetition of her ideas comes from me.  Raising a teenage boy taught me a lot about the power of repetition.  It’s of utmost importance in popular music and equally so in education and communication.

Some past Presidents have been known as great minds regarding foreign policy and others have been honored more for their grasp on domestic policy, but seldom are these leaders known for both.  When it gets right down to it, there’s just too much to grasp between them both.  It would be like living a life as a world-class concert pianist and a nuclear physicist working at MIT at the same time.

But we have one of those leaders – and only one, who understands all things.

Now, as the song goes, our job is simply to know that with God all things are possible.  I think it’s called faith, belief and understanding.

And while we’re at it, instead of worrying about whether or not Barack Obama is going to be back in office for four more years, perhaps it would be better to pray that whoever gets elected be, himself, governed by the true government – God.

John Kennedy said, “My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”  Well, here’s what we can do for our country.  Here’s the most effective individual act that each of us can commit to going forward.

Know that …

Reflecting God’s government,
man is self-governed.

Reflecting God’s government,
man is self-governed.

And that …

When man is governed by God,
the ever-present Mind
who understands all things,
who understands all things,
man knows that with God
all things are possible.
all things are possible.

It bears repeating.