The transforming power of Christ

I’m reading this book about Jesus’ disciples (it’s written as a personal story from the perspective of each disciple).  I am moved by the transforming spirit of the Christ to completely change the lives of these 12 men, plus many others that were around them.

They were willing to drop everything (even change their names in a couple of instances) and adapt this whole new way of life. It reminded me of my personal story of being transformed by Christ. After spending several years looking for happiness & satisfaction through material means (partying, drugs & unproductive relationships), I finally glimpsed the Christ through a trying experience. I was struggling & searching for healing, so I decided to read the four Gospels. I found a translation that made sense to me, and I became so engrossed with it, I couldn’t put it down.

Jesus lived a fearless life and I so wanted to live that way, too. The message of Christian Science taught me that all the “works” that he did and what he taught can be applied and lived today. God’s transforming, healing power can save us in any situation.

Well, I dove in to this message, took up the study and practice of following Christ (through Christian Science), and I haven’t looked back!

Isn’t it interesting that this healing power, which has existed for thousands of years (well, for eternity actually) is still as powerful, beautiful and transforming today? There is nothing in the world that can give you that kind of guarantee! I am still in awe of the permanent transforming power of Christ.

Do you have a transforming experience you’d like to share?

Constant prayer

The Bible talks about “praying without ceasing” (1 Thes. 5:17), which can sometimes sound like an unattainable goal.

How does one pray all the time? Is it even possible?

I recently came across two statements in the Christian Science textbook, which helped me understand this better.

“The habitual struggle to be always good is unceasing prayer.” (Science and Health, p. 4)

“Consistent prayer is the desire to do right.” (Science and Health, p. 9)

So, when I desire to do the right thing and to be good, I am praying.

I wanted to ask a friend for a favor the other day. Then thought came to me: rather than just invite him over to help me on a project, I should invite him over for dinner, hang out with him and enjoy his company. We could get the project done at the same time, and I could take the time to appreciate getting to know him in a new way (he has helped my family on many occasions). Later, I realized that my desire to do the right thing in this situation, was actually a form of praying.

So whether we’re picking out a movie to watch on a Friday night or making plans with friends, our desire to do good in every situation is a form of praying.

That certainly makes the goal of “praying without ceasing” much more tangible to me!

We tread on forces…

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a great holiday and that you are all enjoying the freshness and spiritual promise of a new year!

I often contemplate this statement when I pray:

We tread on forces. Withdraw them, and creation must collapse. Human knowledge calls them forces of matter; but divine Science declares that they belong wholly to divine Mind, are inherent in this Mind, and so restores them to their rightful home and classification.(Science and Health, p. 124)

Sometimes it seems like everything is on the verge of falling apart. I contemplate this statement to know that my home, family, and society are fully sustained by divine Spirit. Goodness is natural and normal. God made us and sustains us. He made us healthy, harmonious and good. These attributes are spiritual forces, or laws, that we can draw on and underlie our being.

God’s being is infinity, freedom, harmony, and boundless bliss (Science and Health, p. 481). And we reflect that being. We are at one with that being.

So next time that things feel shaky remember that you draw on forces of good (a real force of nature) which sustains your very being.