Consecrated practitioners of Christian Science recall the faith of the centurion who came to Jesus with sublime confidence in the Master's knowledge of Truth, saying, "Speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed." In the hearts of those who truly strive to follow Christ Jesus there is embedded a deep desire to gain an understanding such as the Master had, and to obtain similar results. Jesus asserted that his followers should do the works which he did, and he never spoke vainly. Since he is our pattern, we can do the works only by following his example closely, through consecration to Truth, acknowledging, as he did, the ever-presence and all-power of God. The Master cast out evil beliefs through the Christ which he manifested; he restored the sense of health; he proved the power of Soul over sense. In the midst of human difficulties and persecutions, he showed forth the Christ, his true nature; and he sought to establish for all the true sense of sonship with God. He taught not only his own but also others' oneness with God.
Mary Baker Eddy in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" asks this pertinent question (pp. 33, 34): "Are all who eat bread and drink wine in memory of Jesus willing truly to drink his cup, take his cross, and leave all for the Christ-principle?" Again, on page 192, she states with simple directness, "We are not Christian Scientists until we leave all for Christ." We shall do well to ponder these instructions of our Leader, and reconsecrate ourselves daily to the service of God through the obedient surrender of the human self to the divine control, which the Master so powerfully exemplified. The material sense of life yields slowly to the truth; but through persistent effort toward the goal, spiritual understanding is won. Thus, in the healing work, we learn the imperative necessity for putting God first, all the time, under all conditions. We need the letter of Christian Science, but we cannot succeed in healing without the spirit.
One reason for delayed healing may be a tenacious belief in the reality and power of the ill from which one seems to suffer; then, too, the desire for physical healing above all else may retard recovery. To read the textbook with no other thought than that of being healed, may delay progress. Another hindrance is the tendency to be sorry for oneself, and self-pity may bring depression, discouragement, and a weakening sense of inferiority. We can listen with profit to the words of Mrs. Eddy, where she refers to individuals who "gain good rapidly and hold their position, or attain slowly and yield not to discouragement"(ibid., p. 254). How well she knew human nature and the needful human footsteps! Some are quickly healed, and gain a clear sense of God afterward, while others are healed as they gain some understanding of the truth.
