At a Christian Science lecture I attended, the lecturer shared an experience he’d had leading an outdoor adventure course for youth. A young man in the course persistently displayed hostility toward him and the rest of the group. However, the lecturer refused to accept this behavior as a reflection of that individual’s true nature. Before long, the young man’s disposition and behavior changed completely. He became cooperative and friendly.
I found this story so inspiring. It clearly illustrated how we are to see in everyone what Christ Jesus saw in others: their true, Christly nature—God’s goodness shining through them. Instead of accepting the false picture of a mortal with an aggressive personality, we are to recognize only the reality that all being is spiritual and that every individual idea of God is harmonious and eternal. In Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy states, “Let discord of every name and nature be heard no more, and let the harmonious and true sense of Life and being take possession of human consciousness” (p. 355).
We are to see in everyone what Christ Jesus saw in others: God’s goodness shining through them.
A few years ago, while taking Christian Science class instruction, I had an opportunity to follow Jesus’ example. During a walk outside one day, I encountered a homeless man in distress. The spiritual uplift I felt during the class had elevated my thought, giving me a better, more spiritual view of God’s creation. I felt compelled to reach out to the man, whereas in the past I might have avoided him out of fear.
The Christian Science textbook gives us an expanded sense of God’s love, which overcomes every fear. It tells us: “Millions of unprejudiced minds—simple seekers for Truth, weary wanderers, athirst in the desert—are waiting and watching for rest and drink. Give them a cup of cold water in Christ’s name, and never fear the consequences” (Science and Health, p. 570). Recalling that passage freed me from fear. It also pushed aside selfish worry over what to say to the man and gave me faith that God would direct me.
The man said he slept on a bench whenever working in that city. His home was in a distant town, where he had been unable to secure employment. He bemoaned that he often fought with people because he was possessed by the devil. I immediately declared, silently, that evil is unreal, powerless, and could never attach itself to this man. God, good, is the only power, presence, and influence. I then spoke to him for quite a while about his real identity as God’s child.
After I mentioned I was taking a class in Christian Science and learning to heal, he asked if I would pray for him. I held his hand and assured him that his nature wasn’t evil, and that like every one of us, he reflected God’s goodness, as it is available to everyone.
The man’s facial features noticeably softened. In a gentle voice, he expressed gratitude that I had stopped to talk to him. I don’t know what has transpired with him since we spoke, but I feel sure the encounter gave him a fresh view of himself and blessed his life in some way.
On another occasion, I had an unexpected encounter with a friend that led me to once again view all things from a spiritual standpoint and see as God sees. With little notice, this friend withdrew her plans to lead an activity at an event that I would be hosting. Our conversation turned combative, and our call ended with me feeling hurt and distressed.
After a family member commiserated with me over the situation, I felt even more distressed, mostly because of the way I had been handling it. Christian Science never taught me to rehearse problems, which is what I had been doing. All that does is magnify what has no reality to begin with. Instead, I needed to magnify my friend’s true nature and the many good qualities it included, such as her selflessness in service to various worthwhile causes. And I needed to reject the belief that there ever could be a conflict between God’s children. I endeavored to do this whenever I thought about my friend.
After our conversation, I came across a passage in Science and Health that has always meant so much to me as a writer: “Those instructed in Christian Science have reached the glorious perception that God is the only author of man” (p. 29). I thought about God’s “authoring” of each one of us and what a precious gift that is. I thought of my husband, other family members, and even this friend, imagining the loving care with which divine Love created us as perfect spiritual ideas, not flawed material beings with differing perspectives and agendas.
As I continued to listen quietly for God’s thoughts, I felt a sense of calm wash over me.
As I continued to listen quietly for God’s thoughts in the coming days, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. I knew all would be well.
A few days before the event, my friend kindly asked if there was space for her to register, as if nothing had ever happened between us. I told her how thrilled I was that she would join us. At the end of the event, she expressed her gratitude for the experience. The attendees were loving and supportive of each other and the atmosphere was harmonious and uplifting.
What a lesson in the blessings of seeing all of God’s children in their true light!
