Someone I know in another Christian denomination said recently, "I can't wait to get to heaven. Then I'll find the bluebird of happiness." This young man was, of course, thinking he had to pass on before he could realize full joy. Couldn't help being grateful for the teachings of Christian Science and what they bring out about heaven.
Because they have not been taught the joy and practicality of developing their spiritual sense,many people deprive themselves of a better and happier life, looking to some future heaven to provide them with fulfillment and happiness.
However, my religion shows that it is unnecessary for anyone to wait before experiencing happiness, health, and well-being. Man does not have to postpone good to some future time -- he receives it from God and reflects it now. God, divine Love, is contantly bestowing on His spiritual likeness, man, blessings that are satisfying and unending.
When Christ Jesus was approached by someone in need,, he did not refer that person to a future paradise. Instead, our Lord and Master blessed the receptive seeker right then and there. Did Jesus not say (Luke 17:21), "Behold, the kingdom of God is within you"? When we sincerely open our thoughts to the ever-present Christ, Truth, we are given the spiritual ideas to meet our present human need, whether for a job, companionship, safety, a place to live, or release from pain or suffering.
Does a loving human parent -- aware of his children's needs -- intentionally withhold good? How much more, then, may we expect from our heavenly Father, infinite, ever-present, divine Love!
Mary Baker Eddy, who discovered and founded Christian Science, writes in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, (171), "Through discernment of the spiritual opposite of materiality, even the way through Christ, Truth, man will reopen with the key of divine Science the gates of Paradise which human beliefs have closed, and will find himself unfallen, upright, pure and free."
One may have been taught by the religion he follows to look to heaven as the only place where a person can find constant good. But because Jesus declared that the kingdom of God, all good, is already within us, I would like to say to any non-Christian Scientists reading my blog (and I'm aware there are quite a number), accept what our Saviour teaches as the God-given truth. You do not have to wait for heaven!
