In a word, that really is what having an article published in the Christian Science periodicals is all about—fulfillment.
But it's not just a sense of personal reward. As a matter of fact, there is hardly any of that. I recall one instance that has taught me some of the requisite humility.
It was before a Wednesday evening meeting in our branch church that a fellow church member called across the edifice, "I see you have an article in the new Journal. I haven't read it, but I'm sure it must be good." I never heard anything further, so I'm not sure whether she ever read it, or if, having read it, she thought it was any good!
There is something far deeper, though, that a contributor to the periodicals experiences in the way of fulfillment. And that is, simply, that it is a God-impelled activity. The joy you feel over a fresh insight into the Science of Christianity that has proved itself in demonstration just forces itself into an article. You then act more as a witness and a recorder.
When something is so new, so beautiful, so awe-inspiring for you, you're just moved to want to let someone else share in your joy. It bursts out of you. It's like what Balboa must have felt on catching a glimpse of the radiantly sparkling Pacific Ocean, after having traversed the steamily humid Panamanian jungles.
The buoyant sense of telling others through the periodicals of the power of the Christ-idea is something beyond the mere joy of sharing, however. It's part the fulfillment of church membership.
Each day I pray for spiritual curiosity. I study to learn more of God and His perfect creation. This nurtures my spiritual progress. Demonstration of what is revealed is a necessary consequence. I've learned to love this in Science and Health by Mary Baker Eddy: "Truth is revealed. It needs only to be practised." I've found the spiritual idea that crystallizes itself in consciousness will demand that it be practiced in human experience. Revealing often precedes healing. It also compels it.
The publication of articles is the natural result of that revelation/demonstration activity. It's a fulfillment of God's will in individual experience. And contributing to the periodicals can develop our spirituality as much as reading them does.
Writing to heal
Getting out the message of Christianity challenged each new generation of the followers of Christ Jesus. Our works—the living of the message—reach out to those looking for answers. But along with the works come necessary words—words that recount, introduce, explore, expound, explain, and put on record the power of Truth in our lives.
Today when we hear the call "preach the gospel to every creature" how do we respond? This column offers perpectives from a variety of individuals who have responded by writing. Yet the column isn't so much about writing as it is about the healing activity of making the Word of God known and felt.
