RESPONSIVE READING: I JOHN 4 : 17-19
17. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
18. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
19. We love him, because he first loved us.

Those three verses brought these thoughts:

1. The third Daily Duty given to us by Mrs. Eddy – Alertness to Duty – says, “By his works he shall be judged, — and justified or condemned.” Coupling this with “boldness in the day of judgment” has me seeing that every day is the day of judgment, so I better do the work God gives me to do, and do it boldly.

2. I certainly have felt how “fear hath torment.” And yet, as I am learning here, mortal mind can only counterfeit God’s ideas, and therefore the torment that fear brings is the unreal opposite of the Comforter that Love sends us. How could I have that boldness while tormented? Conversely, how could I fail to be bold in my work while comforted by Love?

3. I can reflect His qualities, including love, only because they are shining constantly everywhere. If I need anything real, anything originated by God, then it is mine now because He doesn’t wait to transmit it until I ask, it is already always everywhere. Do I need comfort? It is here. Do I need purpose? It’s here. Peace? Here. Joy? Here! “Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need.” (S&H, p. 494)

Once I truly see that all I need to live rightly and do this work is right here already, what would be the point in moving forward with trepidation? No wonder David ran toward Goliath!

I am so grateful for Christian Science, this church, and practitioner support for being here when I need them, just like everything from God! Thank you!