GOLDEN TEXT: PHILIPPIANS 4 : 13
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
I first heard this in the Christian churches my family attended as child, and it sounded nice, but with time I felt it was just a trite saying. I see now that it felt trite or untrue because I was increasingly relying on the human mind and material means to try to navigate my daily life. In that state, I steadily found that I could do nothing through mortal mind which weakened me.
But now, after being a member of this church for a while, and learning Christian Science, this above statement has new meaning to me: My connection through Christ to all that God is – Truth, Life, Love, Soul, Spirit, Principle, and Mind – allows God to express through me all good and real activity.
So, what does this mean, day-to-day? Can I lift a car over my head? No. Can I lift someone’s thought with inspired words of Truth and Love? Yes! Can I fly? No. Can I rise up over the mesmeric suggestions of animal magnetism so that I can do my “duty to God, to [my] Leader, and to mankind”? Yes!
Those comic book ideas of what strength meant to me as a child needed to be put aside so that I could learn what strength truly is, and the value of it. More and more I understand why my practitioner has said that we need to watch out for the things that come to steal our Christ: Losing that connection with God takes our strength, our purpose, our usefulness, and our peace.
I am so grateful to God for bringing me to this church, and for all the practical teaching I have gained through the lessons and practitioner support that are showing me how to live this Science and maintain that connection. Thank you!