THERE is much talk about the need of physical exercise, in order to keep fit, or to improve one's health, or to increase one's strength. Athletics form an important part of the curriculum of schools and colleges these days, and wholesome exercise is natural and desirable. Physical agility and strength are rightly prized, and good sportsmanship is commendable.
However, the student of Christian Science keeps uppermost in his consciousness the desire to grow in spiritual understanding, to prove his identity as the child of God, knowing that this will be unfolded to him, step by step, as he serves God, divine Mind. Perfect health is a quality of divine Mind.
In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mary Baker Eddy writes on page 232, "Jesus never taught that drugs, food, air, and exercise could make a man healthy, or that they could destroy human life; nor did he illustrate these errors by his practice." What a blessing the understanding of this fact is! This happy assurance is certain to improve conditions in human experience and bring peace and comfort to mankind, for "the exercise of the sentiments—hope, faith, love—is the prayer of the righteous" (ibid., p. 206); and our Leader says in the next sentence, "This prayer, governed by Science instead of the senses, heals the sick."
