QUESTION:
When the Christian Science Board of Directors recently visited branch church members in Cuba, a young girl at the gathering, a thirteen-year-old from Havana, asked the following question: "It seems like such a wonderful profession—but what does it take to be a Christian Science practitioner?"
We hope the following answers from three Christian Science practitioners from different parts of the world will help this teenager—and anyone else who has wondered about the public practice of Christian Science healing—better understand the universal, spiritual leadings of this blessed ministry.
A1
Mary Baker Eddy wrote about the "babe" of healing that "twines its loving arms about the neck of omnipotence, and calls forth infinite care from His loving heart" (Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, p. 370). I think the practice of Christian Science is being like that babe—having complete trust in God's care, loving Him wholeheartedly, and being engulfed in divine Love's great tenderness and government of all creation. Seen in this light, healing is instinctive, natural, for all of us.
The more I learn about healing, the more I find it vital to keep things simple. Jesus' instructions were basic and straightforward: Seek God first, love with your whole heart, be pure, meek, childlike. When you stick to the basics, everything comes into focus.
I remember saying to an experienced Christian Science practitioner that I thought I needed to be mentally tougher in my healing practice. She said, "No. You just need to be clear about what's true." I felt relieved. Being clear is so much more natural than trying to be tough!
There's such grace and lightness in Jesus' example. Even with all he faced, he said, "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matt. 11:30). He taught that true strength and real power come from God—and God alone.
The pure simplicity of the Christ is what we need in our lives. This divine influence is an inner compass, the ever-present truth-teller, the voice of God speaking to each of us. This Christly presence pierces darkness, fear, and confusion—it shows us what is actually true in the face of any struggle or hardship.
To be in the healing practice is not a question of age, experience, or circumstance. The ability to turn to God and to experience His infinite care is an inherent right. Jesus' healings illustrated the immediacy of this truth—that right where problem seem to be, we can discover the undamaged, uninterrupted goodness of God and what He made us to be. Jesus' words are a promise: "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). This is something we can embrace every moment.
PORT HOPE, ONTARIO, CANADA
A2
Willingness is what it takes to be a practitioner. Willingness to listen to God. Willingness to trust God. Willingness to love, love, love. It takes acceptance of the allness of God—who is the only healer.
What could hinder someone from going into the public healing practice of Christian Science? Maybe some of these questions:
Are you good enough to practice Christian Science? You are a child of God. You are the absolutely perfect expression of the Almighty. Therefore, you are wholly, totally, completely good. You are good enough—way good enough!
When the Apostle Paul was on the island of Melita, after being rescued from a shipwreck, a viper came out of the fire and fastened onto his hand (see Acts 28:3–5). The Melitans took this as a sign that Paul was a murderer. True, Paul had been responsible for hunting down Christians, but he was no longer involved in that oppression. So when he shook off the viper, leaving himself unharmed, he was metaphorically shaking off the "serpent" of painful memories. Like him, we can shake off any serpentine suggestion that we're not good enough to practice publicly as devout Christians.
Do I know enough to practice Christian Science? We each express the Mind that is God—the same Mind, as the Bible says, that was in Christ Jesus (see Phil. 2:5). God constantly imparts to each of us the understanding that we need in the way we need it.
But what if someone asks for Christian Science treatment and it's a really "dangerous" thing they're dealing with? Are we healing a mortal who is facing this challenge, or has God brought us together to discover His blessings and witness that they are already here? Each of us already has all that is needed for anything that is presented to us. We have the Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. These books have answers. We can read, pray, and listen to Mind, who is speaking to us. God is taking us through, guiding us to the way that works best for each of us in our individual healing practice.
TATHRA, NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA
A3
Mary Baker Eddy once wrote, in essence, that the Sermon on the Mount really lived in daily life would be enough for Christian practice.
In that famous sermon (see Matt. 5:1–7:27), Jesus emphasized characteristics such as meekness, purity, peace, and trust in Spirit, God, over materiality. What can't be found in this message are any requirements based on age, past human experience, education, or know-how. It's clear that the practice of scientific Christianity, which consistently heals the sick and liberates sinners, has nothing whatsoever to do with personal ability.
The practice of Christian Science is not a job—it's more like a lifestyle. As practitioners of this Science we are habitually relying on God and trusting wholeheartedly in the principles set forth in the Sermon on the Mount and explained in Science and Health. These truths apply to every aspect of all that we do, with no separation between our religious experience and our work, relationships, recreation, or any other aspect of living. They're all interrelated. Wherever we are, whatever we do, our lives are our spiritual practice, and we are already practitioners, inasmuch as we are actually practicing scientifically Christian ideals.
I do feel that there is something very special about devoting oneself completely to the healing ministry and joining, as a Journal-advertising practitioner, the ranks of so many dedicated spiritual pioneers. But in whatever we do, our job is exactly the same: just to be. As God's children, we are not defined by what we do, but by who we are, made in God's image and likeness.
Does the thought of serving as a practitioner interest you? Then treasure the idea, and don't hesitate to entrust divine Love with your desire. Various forms of fear, doubt, and resistance may present themselves along your path, but God directs us every step of the way. As you overcome these obstacles, your healing practice will continue to grow. And when the time is right for you to take that next step into the public practice, you'll find it's the most natural thing in the world.
WHITTIER, CALIFORNIA, US
Please e-mail your question to jshwrite@csps.com, marked specifically for the Journal Q&A column. Or to use regular mail, our address is: Q&A The Christian Science Journal, 210 Massachusetts Avenue, P03–30, Boston, MA 02115, US.
