Intention

[spencel]

“Man walks in the direction towards which he looks, and where his treasure is, there will his heart be also.” Science and Health p. 451
“The purpose and motive to live aright can be gained now. This point won, you have started as you should. You have begun at the numeration-table of Christian Science, and nothing but wrong intention can hinder your advancement. Working and praying with true motives, your Father will open the way.” Science and Health p.326

INTENT:
Literally, having the mind strained or bent on an object; hence, fixed closely; sedulously applied; eager in pursuit of an object; anxiously diligent; purpose; intention; drift; aim stretching of the mind towards an object; hence, a design. (1828 Websters)

At Sunday’s Roundtable the questioned was posed, “Are you a follower of Christ Jesus and casting out fear, and all evil out of self and out of others and healing the sick?” The teaching went on, “does the argument come that you can’t heal. This is the devil talking. The antidote is “perfect love,” to love enough to follow God’s command. God is the one doing the healing not you. Tell the lie, ‘Yes, I can’t but I know who can.'”

So my intention is a key to what I end up following. I will be fixed and in pursuit of what I love. I can see more why it is so necessary to be still, work hard, be disciplined and consistent in my walk with God. I appreciate the wise teaching here of keeping a covenant with God. For me it is a measure of the direction in which the heart is moving.

[Michael Pupko]

“When walking, we are guided by the eye. We look before our feet, and if we are wise, we look beyond a single step in the line of spiritual advancement.” S&H 429:7

Something I learned teaching skiing which I found later applied to all sports was that keeping ones chin and eyes’up’ greatly enhances balance and secondly enables one to see what is going on around oneself to separate the ‘safe’ places from the treacherous ones. Skiing with a mentor once I fell. He asked me if I knew why and I stated I’d crossed my skis. His answer was “you looked at that piece of wood when you went past it instead of keeping your eyes up!” Keeping ones gaze up one can see where ones footsteps are being placed without losing the big picture. So I trained myself if I looked down at an obstacle if needed to as quickly as possible raise my eyes.

I’m trying to apply that now to my spiritual path; keep my eyes on God to keep my balance rather than dwelling in Ps. 91:8 “Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.” It is most helpful once I ‘see’ the error to get my eyes (spiritual and thus mind) back to God quickly. Most grateful for Plainfield’s teaching that has brought this to my attention and the consistent reminders during our classes.

It’s still a work in progress: “We must begin, however, with the more simple demonstrations of control, and the sooner we begin the better. The final demonstration takes time for its accomplishment.” S&H 429:4 Thank you Mary Baker Eddy!!

[chardelle]

Wonderful posts! ” Emerge gently to spirit”
I recently told one of my grandchildren who plays sports to keep his eye on the ball –God!!
He understood.

[BarbaraW]

All helpful posts. Thank you all.

[Author]

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