"God said, Let there be light: and there was light" (Gen. 1:3). This profound and simple statement reveals Mind as the only substance of being and shows the light and intelligence of Spirit, revealing itself through its own ideas. That which God, Mind, has said and authorized is real— absolute, final, complete.
In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mary Baker Eddy includes Mind as one of the seven synonyms for God. In answer to the question, "What is God?" she says p. 465), "God is incorporeal, divine, supreme, infinite Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, Love." These seven synonyms express in their various shades of meaning the sum total of being, here and now. The Word of God, divine Science, is revealed through the study of these synonyms, through the understanding of God as all-power, all-presence, all-science.
Our Leader says (ibid., p. 510), "Light is a symbol of Mind, of Life, Truth, and Love, and not a vitalizing property of matter." To speak the Word of God with authority is to let our light shine. It is thus that we help others. As our thoughts are flooded with the consciousness of the divine presence, we find the healing light of the Christ, Truth, permeating all our experiences.
Every truth understandingly declared, every right thought expressed, can rightfully be considered as a ray of light going forth to bless and heal. The effulgence of Truth knows no resistance. "Let there be light" is comparable to "there is no darkness," because the Word of God is absolute. The light of the Christ is actually ever present. Darkness is never present. One speaks of a ray of light entering a room; but is it possible to speak of darkness entering a room? Darkness is nothing but the absence of light.
Comparably, in Christian Science we speak of sickness and discordant conditions as the absence of light and understanding. The understanding of God's allness and of the nothingness of false beliefs makes us conscious of the presence of the Christ, Truth, revealing itself to human consciousness as light.
Students of Christian Science have unlimited opportunity to let their light shine. The healing light of the Christ, Truth, was beautifully demonstrated in the experience of a Christian Science practitioner. At a Christian Science lecture a woman sitting in the second seat from the practitioner gropingly reached toward her. The woman's hand fell listless in the lap of the person between them. The practitioner turned and saw that the situation demanded the immediate recognition of the ever-presence of life and consciousness. Instantly she saw that the mesmeric lie of animal magnetism calling itself sickness or death was but error trying to interfere with the healing Truth, which was being expressed through the lecture.
After this conviction an angel thought came to the practitioner saying, "All the light and power of God as Life is present; claim it!" This she did. She knew that the light and glory of God are over all and that they are expressed in individual consciousness. She saw that the Word of God can never be personalized or limited; also that Life is not fragmentary but intact. For a moment she thought the lights were glaring on the platform to the extent that the lecturer could not be clearly discerned. It seemed at this instant as though a gentle breeze had wafted over these three seats. The woman sat up; her color became natural. She then pushed her coat loosely back on her shoulders and continued listening to the lecture.
The next evening this individual said to the practitioner, "I was so grateful that they opened the windows and turned on that fan last night." She was informed that no windows had been opened and that no fan had been turned on. It was then seen that the currents of Truth had eliminated animal magnetism and restored her to consciousness and normal activity. The woman also mentioned that the lights seemed to shine from the platform.
This uplifting experience indeed proved the power of the light of spiritual understanding to dispel any suggestion of darkness that mortal mind might present. The Bible states (Ps. 107:20), "He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions."
In her book "Miscellaneous Writings" Mrs. Eddy gives us this inspiring statement (p. 260): "Pure Mind gives out an atmosphere that heals and saves." There are many established avenues in the Christian Science movement whereby we have opportunities to share these healing truths. Let us pray to be more alert to the privilege we have of knowing the healing power of the Word of God, going forth in all its purity. Divine Mind reveals itself impartially and in unlimited unfoldment. As the student is obedient to the leadings of Truth, which are revealed through consecrated study and application of Christian Science, he is immeasurably blessed.
The full effulgence of the Christ is perpetually lighting the way. There is no time when this light is ineffectual. To be ever alert to recognize the revealed Word of God as the expression of ever-present Life and Love is indeed a goal worthy of every effort of attainment. Rightly understanding the Word of God and maintaining the fact of the presence of the Christ bring harmony into our experience.
