Has your branch church been getting a lot of business lately? Or does it seem your church or Reading Room might be "going out of business"? Even if that's the case, it's never too late to turn things around. At the crucifixion Christ Jesus had been abandoned by most of his followers. He had virtually no "membership," so to speak! But what he did have, with which he not only raised his body from the grave but revitalized his followers, was the unshakable understanding of man's ongoing relationship to God. He knew God as his Father, and he had a constant trust in his Father's love and power. Where the business of church is concerned, Christ Jesus is our prime example.
Often the success of a business is dependent upon its motives. Is the motive of our church to improve the quality of life in our community by practicing Christ-healing, to do good for others? Mary Baker Eddy, who founded the Church of Christ, Scientist, writes in Science and Health: "Love inspires, illumines, designates, and leads the way. Right motives give pinions to thought, and strength and freedom to speech and action."Science and Health, p. 454. Our loving motives will lead us to the words and actions needed to share the practical truth we're learning. Jesus' motive was never to gain a lot of followers to satisfy a desire for fame. People followed him because of the spiritual Truth he taught and demonstrated and as a natural outcome of his pure love and affection.
It may seem at times that our church is vying with many worldly systems of thought attractive to the human mind. But the answer for us does not lie in trying to compete on the same level. Our answer is in trusting God to run the business that is truly His and in obeying His direction. Is God, infinite Love, unable to attract? Is God neglectful of the healing mission of His Science? Is God unable to speak in ways that can be understood?
