A Familiar Bible passage reads (Prov. 16:1), "The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord." The promise and fulfillment, the preparation and response for every endeavor, are found in God, the source of all good. Man lives in God, and in His "presence is fulness of joy" (Ps. 16:11). Thus joy characterizes every right activity, including preparation for a Christian Science lecture.
All members of Churches of Christ, Scientist, are privileged to participate actively in joyful lecture preparation. As students of Christian Science, they know that man is the perfect image and likeness of God. Therefore each member's expression of joy is of value, for each one in reality reflects the qualities of Life, Truth, and Love in a unique, original way.
The word "joy" brings to thought many God-inspired qualities such as hope, vitality, zest, and buoyancy. Each member's gift of thoughtful prayer is important, because no one else can give it for him. Each individual contribution of enthusiasm, courage, and unselfed love rounds out the richness of lecture preparation.
A Christian Science lecture brings to the community a practical, life-giving message which is designed to help each receptive listener solve the problems of human experience. Preparatory work for the presentation of the lecture should reverse every argument of error which tends to obstruct it and replace the argument with a clear conviction of the power of Truth. Joy is a powerful corrective in such prayerful work, for it overcomes the very errors which would claim to undermine the effectiveness of the lecture.
Enthusiasm expressed by individual members helps to dispel indifference; alertness conquers apathy; hope defeats discouragement. Vitality and spontaneity lift thought above dull conformity to mortal modes of procedure. When lecture preparations are carried forth with joy, the lecture radiates a gracious, friendly spirit which reaches out to the stranger and lovingly welcomes him.
Gratitude is a basic element of joyful lecture preparation because it is the acknowledgment of God's infinite, eternal goodness. When thought is illumined with gratitude, we are able to see through the mists of error and attain the calm confidence that Truth alone is ever present and triumphant. Through gratitude we affirm (I Sam. 7:12), "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us," and go forward with trust in His continuing care. Since thought determines experience, such inspiration is practical and unfolds effective preparatory steps in the proper order.
In lecture preparatory work, expressions of gratitude may well begin with joyful thanks to God for His precious gift, Christian Science, and for the spiritual truths upon which it is based. God is infinite Mind, eternal Truth, omnipotent and omniscient Principle. He is the all-wise, all-loving Father-Mother God, and man is His perfect child, forever inseparable from Him. Thought must be lifted to see these spiritual facts more clearly and to be grateful for them.
Gratitude must include thanks to God for the beauty of His creation, the comfort of His presence, and the tenderness of His loving care. Lecture preparation provides an opportunity to review the truths we have already learned and to put them to practical use. It is also a time to learn more of God through further study and rejoicing.
Such joyful and grateful acknowledgment of spiritual good purifies thought. It promotes the growth of each member and the progress of the entire church. Mary Baker Eddy writes in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 164), "What is gratitude but a powerful camera obscura, a thing focusing light where love, memory, and all within the human heart is present to manifest light." Thought inspired with gratitude for God and for His love for all reaches out to bless the community and to prepare it for the lecture.
Gratitude for current progress in church affairs should also be expressed. Broadening our understanding and our joyful support of every activity established by our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, will provide a sure foundation for the lecture and its blessings. Enlarging our love for Church will help to increase the usefulness to the community of the human institution. Thoughts united in praise to God will ensure a receptive audience and a peaceful atmosphere, in which beauty, dignity, and order are lovingly blended.
Gratitude leads naturally to joyful expectancy of good. It helps to overcome fear, which is the expectation of evil. True expectancy of good must be based on spiritual understanding of Love's power and ever-presence. Thought inspired by divine Love sees the true idea and confidently and joyfully awaits its manifestation. Love for God and man must permeate every aspect of lecture preparation. It must reach out to the stranger and joyfully welcome him. It must enfold and protect every person present at the lecture. Love must remain in the thoughts and hearts of all—a tender, quiet benediction.
Lecture preparatory work must include joyful expectation of healing. The lecture declares the ever-operative Word of God. Its divine import cannot be impeded, limited, or obstructed, because it originates in omnipotent Truth. Its message is irresistible because it is the unfoldment of divine Principle.
The inspired ideas included in the lecture are spiritual and eternal. They reflect Mind's ever-presence and cannot be ignored or forgotten. The substance of the lecture reflects the activity of universal, impartial, divine Love nourishing and caring for each and all. Therefore every listener may find in it useful thoughts to uplift his heart and meet his need. The healing efficacy of Christlike ideas is unlimited.
True joy, expressed in gratitude and expectancy of good, will bring about progress after the lecture. Its truths will unfold in the daily experience of each listener, as its statements are pondered, acknowledged, and put to the test of active use. Fruitage of the lecture will then continue in healings which will bless the individual, the church, and the community.
A lecture which included a discussion of the Bible reference (Acts 17:28), "In him we live, and move, and have our being," and which stressed the importance of understanding that true being is in God was given in the writer's community. She pondered this truth and studied many of the beautiful statements referring to being which are found in the writings of Mrs. Eddy.
Several months later her daughter manifested symptoms of incipient scarlet fever. Recalling the discussion given by the lecturer, the writer affirmed that the child's true life, action, and being were in God. The clear conviction that her daughter's very existence was in the Father-Mother God wiped out fear. Within a half hour the child was completely free.
Through the application of this same truth, the writer was later healed overnight of a twisted ankle, and her son instantaneously gained his freedom from an earache.
Christ Jesus assured his disciples (John 16:22), "Your joy no man taketh from you." Joy awakens thought to perceive and welcome the Christ. When preparation is accomplished with prayer and praise, the lecture radiates the spirit of Christian healing, which uplifts and blesses all.
