Thinking About Ferguson

        Who can look at the violent scenes in this Missouri town and not feel stirred?  Instead of turning away from the whole picture and thinking, "What can just one person do to help?", there is something you and I can do.
 
         Our Master said:  "Blessed are the peacemakers:  for they shall be called the children of God."  As Jesus' followers, we have an obligation to help make peace.  And here Christian Science, with its emphasis on the teachings of Christ Jesus, helps us to bring peace to simmering urban problems.

        Finding solutions begins with the individual, with you and me.  Every time we bring harmony to a discordant situation or truly forgive an injustice; every time we love in the face of hate we are doing a very important part in defusing inflamed feelings in the community at large. Why?  Because the world's challenges are the culmination of unresolved individual problems and differences.

        Whatever the causes of society's misunderstandings and quarrels, the antidote is found in conforming to the divine standard brought out by Christ Jesus, who urged upon us the necessity to love one another.  "A fine ideal," someone may be thinking.  "But I'm not sure I can really do this.  I'm not good at dealing with anger and disrepect in others."

        Mary Baker Eddy writes in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, "When we realize that there is one Mind, the divine law of loving our neighbor as ourselves is unfolded; whereas a belief in many ruling minds hinders man's normal drift toward the one Mind, one God, and leads human thought into opposite channels where selfishness reigns."  (page 269)

        We can do a lot to help promote healing in the world by realizing that there really is only one Mind, which man reflects, and that the traits causing conflict and violence are not part of anyone's genuine, God-created selfhood.  God is completely good and made all.  Remembering that even the worst wrong conduct and hostility do not belong to God's man enables us to look beyond appearances.  This empowers us with the Christly view of man which Jesus had.  And this view defuses inflamed feelings.

        Taking the time each day to pray from the standpoint of only one Mind, and living Christlike love, bring healing power to bear on the fear and anger in our own surroundings.  And through this God-approved action, we contribute solidly to world harmony and peace.