Thursday, June 16, 2011

Why I'm a Christian Scientist

I practice the teachings of Christian Science for this reason:  it is clear to me that only the truth of spiritual being which Jesus demonstrated can open and bring freedom to human consciousness.  This truth of spiritual being is now available to humanity in the religion Mary Baker Eddy discovered and founded.  And my life has been infinitely blessed by what it brings out about God and man.

Once an individual has felt the transforming touch of Christ--that cleansing of consciousness indescribably priceless--he or she isn't content with anything less than God's healing power.  This moment of spiritual quickening, of realizing the utter unreality of whatever is opposed to God's loving presence and power (whether it be sin, illness, lack, unhappiness), comes to everyone individually.  But it does leave one wanting to understand more of what has brought such freedom into his experience.  And this quest for more of the knowledge our Master had of God's allness leads one to deeper study, prayer, a fuller reliance on God when help is needed--a purer and more spiritually-minded thought and life.  St. Paul writes:  "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."

Actually, such all-out commitment to the demands of divine Spirit is the sine qua non of successful Christian Science pratice, for oneself and others.  We don't begin to realize the results we should until we are pursuing Science for growth Godward first, and only second for relief from our own woes.  Holding to the higher goal, we name the name of Christ.  Indeed, an unhealed condition could well indicate a need to get ourselves right with God, to conform more to His laws.

Nothing has such a purifying, liberating effect on us as an understanding of vital spiritual facts.  Regrding ourselves as mortals cut off from a God we have to struggle to reach would be working from an unreal basis.  This would subject us to frustration, weariness, and worse--leave us vulnerable to unnecessary false beliefs and fears.  On the other hand, putting on the scientifically accurate view of ourselves as evidencing Mind's conscousness of its own perfect self, enable us to feel Christ's transforming touch in divine healing.

There's nothing quite like it.  And to continue experiencing this blessing, which I have not found available from any other source, is what keeps me practicing Christian Science.