Suddenly you find yourself no longer just a housewife or secretary or insurance agent, but elected to conduct the services in a branch Church of Christ, Scientist! The First Readership is a priceless opportunity to serve God, the Cause of Christian Science, and mankind, and needs to take precedence in thought over every other duty or occupation.
Reading can be a wonderful opportunity for the spiritual progress of anyone serving in this capacity. It takes patience, dedication, and inspiration to carry out this work for the full term of appointment as it should be done. This will certainly deepen the Reader's capabilities and widen the scope of all the activities of his daily life. It is scarcely possible to live so closely with great truths without becoming imbued more fully with their power and meaning. Many Readers experience much growth and healing during their term of office because, dealing so consistently with the healing Principle, they learn to know more surely that "it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."Phil. 2:13;
Each week the conscientious Reader gains inspiration from the carefully prepared Lesson-Sermons in the Christian Science Quarterly. This brings confidence in listening for and assimilating ideas for the Wednesday testimony meeting selections. Ideas are never in short supply— they are infinitely available. Each week the Reader prays to be ready to discern the right idea for that week's meeting—something that will lift thought and be helpful in bringing about healing. Leads come in wonderful ways, and often from unexpected sources, week by week. When attention is held and focused by a divine idea, the idea takes charge of the situation, and the Reader can then embody its inspiration in the readings. This is a joyful and stimulating service and can have far-reaching effects.
