FOR centuries spiritually-minded men and women have been aware of God's presence and His comforting nearness. "Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord" (Jer. 23:23, 24).
Through Christian Science, God reveals Himself as divine Principle, omnipotent Mind, as Spirit, Soul, Life, Truth, Love, filling all space. His nearness is made known through such terms as Father-Mother, Shepherd, Physician, and Minister. Christ Jesus, our Way-shower, was constantly aware of God's presence and power and often spoke to Him. Before raising Lazarus from the grave Jesus spoke aloud, reaffirming God's nearness and power with the words: "I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always" (John 11:41, 42). In his answer to Philip's searching request (John 14:8), "Shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us," Jesus revealed his conscious oneness with God. He said, "Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works." Jesus, the master Christian, walked with God every step of the way. As his followers we must do the same.
In the Bible we find many accounts of people who walked and talked with God. It is recorded that Enoch walked with God and pleased Him. Noah walked closely with God and listened for guidance and advice in the building of the ark. Moses listened for God's voice at the burning bush and later walked with God in the journey through the wilderness. Elijah, the prophet, walked with God and received instruction and direction in the way he should go. Mrs. Eddy writes in the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health (p. 308), "The Soul-inspired patriarchs heard the voice of Truth, and talked with God as consciously as man talks with man." Today, students of Christian Science are finding that they may walk with God and listen daily for His voice.
