Most of us realize that it takes devoted prayer—and much listening—to contemplate going into the full-time practice of Christian Science healing. But what are the other thoughts we might find ourselves listening to? Thoughts that try to distract us, and even distance us, from this holy purpose and direction? The Journal collected some of these suggestions and asked Connie Coddington, manager of Christian Science Journal Advertising, to face them down. And in doing so, to support what “brightens the ascending path of many a heart” (Science and Health, p. 265).
If one is prayerfully alert, there are so many ways to “get the calls.” People all around you who are reaching out—family, friends, that neighbor you meet up with at the mailbox, a stranger on the street, the world headlines. Just because the phone isn’t ringing doesn’t mean there aren’t people asking for help. When you begin to set aside some time to specifically work for the practice, that’s when you find there are countless ways to nurture it.
I’m talking about giving Christian Science treatment for yourself. To “treat” what is coming before your thought—that’s the most important “call” you can ever take. And it’s right there in the Church Manual, where Mary Baker Eddy says: “. . . each member of this Church shall strive to demonstrate by his or her practice, that Christian Science heals the sick quickly and wholly . . .” (p. 92). So it’s absolutely clear that she knew every member is able to practice Christian Science.
