Sustainability

Years ago I found this statement of interest:

“…the most widely quoted definition of sustainability as a part of the concept sustainable development,: ‘sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.’” (Brundtland Commission of the United Nations, March 20, 1987)

I surmise that the continual newness of Spirit includes the development of ideas which come from an infinite source, meeting the needs of the present, without compromise for all generations of mankind. Therefore, sustainable development when seen and practiced from a spiritual perspective can lead to meeting the needs of all generations, including all God’s creation. This is true sustainability.

Mary Baker Eddy, who discovered Christian Science, wrote, “Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need.” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 494) From a limited or clouded human perspective this statement may seem impossible, if not ridiculous. But from an enlightened spiritual perspective which wholeheartedly trusts God – divine Love or Holy Spirit – this statement can be and is proven in human experience. Thus, spiritual development which acknowledges God as a benevolent Creator strengthens and supports sustainable development in human enterprises.

A trap is that we may look at what’s going in with our respective organizations, situations, bodies and conditions, and so on, instead of serving and looking only to God, Spirit, as the Source of all good. Seeing daily that sustainability is (or supply and demand are) always balanced in and by Spirit requires yielding our personal, individual or collective material sense of things to an altitude of higher metaphysics.

As I shared last week, “To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, to-day is big with blessings” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. vii). It is therefore this “sustaining infinite” or divine Love which brings true sustainability. For years I’ve felt being a servant of Spirit, not of organization, helps me see more clearly the spiritual abundance which sustains Wide Horizon. For this, I am grateful.

D. Brian Boettiger