Some years ago, a church position was vacant that needed to be filled. I was only partially qualified for it, but as I prayed about it, I was led to volunteer until a fully qualified person was found. The membership voted on having me temporarily step in to fill this position, and as we looked for a more qualified candidate, I began the work.
All was well with this arrangement, with the exception of one church member who opposed it to the point where I shed tears. Finally, I resigned from the position. Although I received many emails and notes of support, I was hurt and confused as to why my prayers had led me to volunteer for a position that had turned so ugly. When resentment and hate invaded my heart, I resigned from this church and moved on to another branch Church of Christ, Scientist.
However, over the years, the memory of that unhappy experience would resurface with the same thoughts and emotions, even though I had not seen this church member for years. Then, I decided to pray scientifically, as taught in the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. The book also teaches the reader how to understand, follow, and demonstrate Christ Jesus’ example and instructions to have one God and to love one another. This became my starting point.
I realized I should have prayed about our differences, and I should have loved more.
Instead of focusing on all the points where I had clashed with this individual, I started to see us both as God’s beloved children. I made a list of the good I could honestly recognize and honor in this member’s church work, and I recognized we both had good qualities. Then, as I was honest with myself, I saw that I, too, had been unkind and indifferent toward her. It was humbling. I saw how we both had acted in a similar fashion, almost mirroring each other’s lack of genuine Christianity.
Then I thought through how I should have acted. I realized I should have prayed about our differences, and I should have loved more. It had not been wrong for me to temporarily fill the position, but it had been wrong that I reacted to the challenge instead of praying about it.
Finally, with inspiration gained from the book of Revelation and the Manual of The Mother Church, I wrote out a description of how I could have been a church member that united, rather than divided. I saw that if I had been a better church member, I would not have felt so hurt, and I would have been able to work out this challenge in a gentle, peaceful, cooperative, and patient manner.
All godless thoughts and emotions melted away after praying in this way. I was free!
All godless thoughts and emotions melted away after praying in this way. I was free!
While I never saw this church member again, I value the lessons learned that helped me see clearly the importance of starting church work with one God and loving one another. Shortly after this, I had an opportunity to put this understanding into practice. I felt myself getting impatient during a lengthy phone call. I instantly recognized that this impatience would have a destructive outcome if I did not silence it and replace my thoughts with love and genuine caring. With that inspiration and alertness, I immediately listened with more care and love. As a result, we had a meaningful conversation that ended in a timely manner.
