1. 241 : 19-21
The substance of all devotion is the reflection and demonstration of divine Love, healing sickness and destroying sin.
Devotion, from the 1828 Webster’s Dictionary:
1. The state of being dedicated, consecrated, or solemnly set apart for a particular purpose.
2. A solemn attention to the Supreme Being in worship; a yielding of the heart and affections to God, with reverence, faith and piety, in religious duties, particularly in prayer and meditation; devoutness.
During the January 5th, 2019 Bible Study, Gary said the most important thing to Daniel was his relationship with God. This has stayed with me. When I was younger, I thought Daniel’s obedience to God got him thrown into the lions’ den. It is apparent now that was a very incomplete, glass-half-empty thought. With what I am learning here, it is clear how Daniel’s “reflection and demonstration of divine Love” had him always in the place where he could do the most practical good. His devotion to God brought him through the lions’ den, and was so undeniable the king made a decree before the whole world that God is God!
By learning to live Christian Science, I am beginning to understand that my relationship with God must of utmost importance as well, and through this devotion I will be “set apart for a particular purpose.” Mary Baker Eddy was certainly clear on what that means:
7. 494 : 30-32
Our Master cast out devils (evils) and healed the sick. It should be said of his followers also, that they cast fear and all evil out of themselves and others and heal the sick.
I am very grateful for how each Weekly Lesson, Forum post, Wednesday reading, Bible Study, and Roundtable build upon each other. Little-by-little I am learning to put this all in practice, and am constantly blessed by being a member of this church. Thank you!