When Christian Science is presented to us, and we faintly perceive its wondrous message of healing and regeneration, often we are led to think, with the first awakening that has come in the destruction of our ills or diseases through Truth's healing power, that now our work is accomplished, that we have scaled the heights, that we have reached the pinnacle. Having caught a glimpse of the vision of Truth's dawn, its joy has lifted us above earth's dull turmoil. Unfolding thought is satisfied with its first glimpse of the glory that is to be; and we may conclude that our problem is worked out, our work finished. We tell our friends of our wonderful healing, and assure them, perhaps, we shall never have sickness any more. Just here Mrs. Eddy reminds us (Retrospection and Introspection, p. 78), "The neophyte in Christian Science acts like a diseased physique, —being too fast or too slow." We find, one morning, a cloud on the horizon; and our day is darkened. The tempter with his subtle argument suggests depression, discouragement, disappointment. Joy and gladness have seemingly vanished; and we wonder if God and His promises have failed. But just then divine Love's care, which is ever present, gives to us the helpful necessary solution, perhaps through some word from our textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy; perhaps through the wisdom of one more advanced in the Christ Science; perhaps through an article in our periodicals; and we are taken gently by the hand as Love again points the way.
The mistake was that we thought we were at the end of the journey, when we were only at the beginning. The vision of Truth which had healed and uplifted us must now lead us on; and as we apply our understanding of God's allness and ever-presence,— our understanding of man as Love's reflection, never separated from God, —every argument of the evil one, every difficulty along the way, will gradually be solved by the understanding of the Christ, Truth. When mathematics was first presented to us, we did not expect that that fact of itself alone had completed our work on the subject. We simply recognized that now we had a science whereby all mathematical problems could be worked out; and we rejoiced accordingly.
On page 254 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy clearly points out the patience required when we have begun to turn our face heavenward, and are beginning to climb the heights of holiness leading to the summit of Truth's revelation—perfect God and perfect man. She points out the fact that indispensable human footsteps must be taken upward; the mountain must be climbed, starting from the bottom. These indispensable footsteps are taken day by day, as we faithfully meet the problems which confront us.
