The Journal receives a number of contributions that, because of space constraints, we can't publish in full. In these pages, however, we can offer excerpts that we found inspiring and insightful—some spiritual "nuggets" worth tucking into thought.
Praying about our branch church one day, I pondered the spiritual description of Church given in the Glossary of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. This description has two aspects—the absolute sense of Church, "The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle," and the institution, "... which affords proof of its utility and is found elevating the race, rousing the dormant understanding from material beliefs to the apprehension of spiritual ideas and the demonstration of divine Science, thereby casting out devils, or error, and healing the sick" (p. 583). Then I read what Mary Baker Eddy said on page 136: "Jesus established his church and maintained his mission on a spiritual foundation of Christ-healing."
As I thought about this, I realized that Church in its spiritual substance was already established, but what struck me was the word maintained. The mission requires maintenance! I realized that an established church needs maintenance, and not just the practical day-to-day building-type maintenance. Christ-healing is the foundation of our branch churches and this healing element needs constant maintenance by all of us. What a wonderful way to carry out Jesus' mission for his Church—for each of us as members to consider ourselves first and foremost on the church's healing maintenance committee!
