The student’s attempt to solve a math problem was riddled with mistakes. Instead of getting caught up in the errors, we just erased the work and started over, making sure that each step was in accord with the laws of mathematics.
So it is with Christian Science practice. Instead of focusing on and reacting to errors in thought, we start with spiritual ideas from God, Truth. Statements from the Bible and the writings of Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer of Christian Science, help us redirect our focus. Statements such as: “The Christlike understanding of scientific being and divine healing includes a perfect Principle and idea, – perfect God and perfect man, – as the basis of thought and demonstration” (“Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” p. 259). And “Perfection underlies reality” (Science and Health, p. 353).
Just as errors in trying to solve a math problem do not demonstrate the rules of mathematics, errors in human consciousness – sin, sickness, and death – do not express the grandeur and perfection of the divine Principle, God. We must embrace the facts of spiritual being in order to erase mistaken materialistic views of God in thought.
The fact is that we are not what we seem to be – mortals striving for perfection. Instead, we are God’s spiritual and perfect, precious reflection right here, right now. We are not becoming perfect, because in reality we are perfect already. Mrs. Eddy writes, “The great spiritual fact must be brought out that man is, not shall be, perfect and immortal” (Science and Health, p. 428).
Although in Christian Science practice we turn away from errors in thought to focus on spiritual reality, we do not ignore error. A math student, working step by step to solve a problem while focusing on the laws of mathematics, will find misconceptions become apparent and be able to correct them. The same is true in prayer.
When confronted with inharmony of any sort, we can turn to prayer, recognizing that God, Love, is the only power in the universe. As we pray to feel God’s love for us and for everyone, we will be led to methodically challenge erroneous concepts in our thinking with the truth. By starting with God’s omnipotence, these mistaken beliefs become less intimidating and appear less real to us until they disappear.
Jesus understood the necessity of turning away from a material picture to focus on God’s allness. The Gospels record that he would sometimes retreat up a mountain to humbly pray. When Jesus prayed, he saw the world from God’s loving perspective. He was seeing and feeling the omnipotent power of his loving Father-Mother God. And when he descended the mountain with this clear view of spiritual reality, he healed sin, sickness, and death. He freed individuals to recognize their own true, spiritual nature.
Mrs. Eddy writes, “Jesus beheld in Science the perfect man, who appeared to him where sinning mortal man appears to mortals. In this perfect man the Saviour saw God’s own likeness, and this correct view of man healed the sick” (Science and Health, pp. 476-477).
Today, as I confront the chaos that a material perspective presents to us, I follow Jesus’ example. Instead of starting my day reading news headlines, I begin my day by communing with God. I pray to feel God’s presence in my life and in the world. I know that all government is on God’s shoulders and that God is omnipotent and in control.
When I feel at peace and convinced of my own and others’ true oneness with God, I specifically pray about issues that the world is encountering. By starting with the omnipotence of God, I soon feel hope and confidence that each problem will be resolved harmoniously. I don’t allow myself to be intimidated by the material picture because I understand that it does not represent spiritual reality any more than an error in mathematics represents mathematics. And I trust that such prayer is an influence that contributes to the progress needed in issues that I am praying about.
As we behold the perfect world of God’s creating, this correct view heals the challenges we face and helps thought move forward toward solutions more widely, too.
