Keeping Our Thoughts in Him

                                                          John Robert Howell






        Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy, like the Bible, is a wondrous book, ever unfolding kaleidoscopic statements of Christian Science. Each thoughtful reading reveals new facets of sentences and paragraphs which have been read dozens, if not, hundreds, of times before.  Only eternity will reveal the whole of it.  All that in a mere 600 pages!


        For example, there is this challenging statement: "Whatever is cherished in mortal mind as the physical condition is imaged forth on the body."  (411:25-26)  Cherish is an intriguing word.choice. It is likely that its usual meaning is not the most fruitful one.  Here are some others from the Student's Reference Dictionary:  "To treat in a manner to encourage growth, to harbor; to indulge and encourage in the mind."  The word implies active support, which I would hope all Christian Scientists avoid assiduously.  The word harbor, however, is passive--and subtle.  A harbor is where boats seek shelter and moor or tie up.  Are we unconsciously permitting false beliefs, mesmeric suggestions, to dock unchallenged in the harbor of our consciousness?  Such beliefs may reside quietly and unobtrusively for a time, but eventually they begin offloading their malignant cargoes.


        God gave His perfect reflection, man, dominion over error in all its forms.  To cede that dominion would be a sin.  For many, frenetic lifestyles seem to allow little unencroached-upon time for adequate study and prayer.  It usually takes time to calm the agitation of mortal mind before meaningful prayer, communion with God, can take place.  Effective prayer is not a product knitted together in the odd scrapes of time left over from a busy day.  True prayer draws truths from the scabbard of the page, enthrones them in active thought and thereby lets the sword of Truth guard and guide individual experience.  Sufficient quiet time for prayer, keeping our thoughts in Him, ensures that we may realize, and enjoy, our God-given dominion over all error.