Challenges and afflictions for some come in copable (if there is such a word) quantities, like parasitic cowbirds. For others they may come in pestilential flocks, like grackles or starlings, but whatever the quantity it is tempting to limit one's Scientific efforts to the demands of personal tribulations, especially when they seem to come in exasperating mongol hordes. Obviously, our first responsibility should be to our own well-being, but taking care that this devotion to self does not become self-indulgent from soup to nuts.
If our hearts withdraw to the selfish confines of a personal material existence, we shouldn't be surprised if the unhealed and unmet needs of a sick and sinful world intrude upon us unbidden. Failing to pray for the mitigation humanity's overwhelming needs we default to some extent on our duty to pray more comprehensively for our own. We are never separate from our oneness with the whole of God's perfect creation, but to ignore the countless evils besetting humanity is to fail to wrestle with and overcome some of the false beliefs which tempt us all and which originate in the basic lie of mortal mind and to invite unwittingly the unclean spirit to take "seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and enter in and dwell there [in our consciousness]: and the last state of that man is worse than the first." (Matt 12: 45)
To human sense the dismaying quantity, depth, and ferocity of the evil, depravity, and cruelty in the world is ineluctable, but we cannot afford to ignore our duty to defend ourselves from aggressive mental suggestion and to refuse to "stand aghast at nothingness". As we heal in our thinking--the only place it ever "exists"--the world's aggressively mesmeric claims, we cannot fail, to some extent, to heal ourselves. Turning our back on suffering humanity or foolishly hoping the bad out there isn't as bad as we don't want to know gives to Satan the only "life" and influence he can ever have.
Note: By "conniptions" in the previous entry I was only choosing an eye-catching word to capture the false nature of material sense testimony. Nothing profound was intended.
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21 comments:
You're such a clear thinker and do tend to express your thoughts in a fresh, original way. And needless to say, I find your blog well worth visiting.
Thanks!
Good job, Christian. Our Leader didn't give us the Daily Prayer for nothing, did she?
I agree with you, that we can't stop our praying with ourselves. Everything we learn in Christian Science and certainly from the Bible stresses the importance of loving our neighbor--wherever in the world he or she happens to be.
There you go again, making me look up words! I consider myself not a dummy, but you always have a couple I don't know.
Metaphysically sound blog post, all in all.
I really enjoy the way you write. So original!
That's a good point that we're never separate from the oneness of God's creation. To my way of thinking, if we concentrate only on our own needs and fail to pray for the world, we are selfish! And we know this is not in accord with what Jesus taught and lived.
Nice little essay, Christian. Always find something of help in what you feel led to share with us.
I have been thinking lately that perhaps the ONLY way that we can help ourselves is to pray for our neighbors. Jesus commands were first, to love God, and second to love our neighbor as ourselves. I'm starting to think that he meant the latter quite literally: that our neighbor is in fact 'ourselves' in that we can bless ourselves only by loving our neighbor. There is also the statement about being forgiven only as we forgive. Also, the OT story about borrowing empty vessels, not a few.
In practical terms this would mean that if our problem is physical pain, we would pray to unknow another's pain; if our problem is finances, pray to unknow another's apparent lack; etc.
Frankly, I am not having that much success just handling my own issues, so I am going to give this a try.
I concur with the previous commenter. We simply have to take very seriously what our dear Master commanded us to do. Our very well-being and our health depend upon it, in my view.
I must say, these blog posts are quite above the ordinary. Please do continue with what you are doing.
It's easy to see why you have such an alive website that so many enjoy participating in. I find your thinking, especially your talent at expressing it, well worth spending time with.
Keep it up!
A previous commenter mentioned obeying Jesus' commands, and I couldn't help thinking that without divine Love in our hearts and living, we can't really experience Christ healing. To me, people who use our religion just to get rid of their own aches and pains, without giving God a thought, without striving to actually be more Christlike, that is to say, more loving to all around them, are just kidding themselves. They may get relief, but they don't advance heavenward one inch.
I want to add this discussion we're having on Love something I like to keep in thought, from the New Testament. "God is Love, and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him."
This about says to me. If God is the One who heals, and He is love, then how can one really be healed without Love?
Your blog is such a blessing, in my opinion, and I'm sure others share this same sentiment. You do good work!
Dear Blogger,
I found much in this particular essay of interest, especially the part where you say the problem exists only in our thinking. This being so, we can replace errors of false belief with divine truths. Isn't Christian Science the most wonderful thing to come into someone's life!
Many blessings to you, Christian, for your unflagging devotion to this Cause we all love so much!
As I read your blog post, what you seem to be saying is this: we need to obey what the Bible tells us, especially the directives Christ Jesus has given us and which the teachings of divine Science reiterate. Nothing short of this will get the job done, or can possibly keep us out of the grasp of Satan.
Want you to know how much I appreciate all the outstanding essays you've been sharing with us. God bless you, Christian...
Thank you for a very helpful essay which most of yours are, to me.
In His love,
Another extremely well thought out and presented essay, Christian. You are the best, in my book!
Thank you very much, Christian. God's best for you!
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