How many times have we called on a Christian Science practitioner to help us with a problem and then sat back and waited for our healing? True, the healing often comes when we are receptive and expectant of it, but unless we do our part in the prayerful work involved, we may be missing something. The spiritual progress resulting from this work is what we really should be seeking. And this will come in greatest measure when we conscientiously seek the understanding of Truth that spiritualizes thought and is the healing power.
As we do this, we progress in our continuing journey out of matter and its false beliefs. Our spiritual growth depends on our own understanding of God. This understanding comes with persistent, patient watchfulness so that thought may become increasingly Godlike.
We cannot depend on anyone else— practitioner, mother, father, husband, wife, friend—to do this work for us. They can help, but the work of self-evangelization is ours alone. Mary Baker Eddy writes: "A student desiring growth in the knowledge of Truth, can and will obtain it by taking up his cross and following Truth. If he does this not, and another one undertakes to carry his burden and do his work, the duty will not be accomplished."Retrospection and Introspection, p. 86;
