Out with the old & in with the new

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Last week, I came to a crossroads with my technology devices. My computer and phone had been acting up for months, and I was fed up! To top it off, the home button on my smart phone had stopped working making it very hard for me to use.

I emailed a Christian Science practitioner for clarity and support because I was fed up, and I didn’t have time to spend hours on the phone with tech support or funds to buy new computers and phones. I’ve also learned that our experience is primarily mental and metaphysical — technology, like everything else in life, is an extension of our thought and can work perfectly in accord with harmonious thinking.

After reading her email and praying for direction myself, I saw even more the value and importance of having a good, working phone. And perhaps I was being a little resistant to change by hanging on to an old phone and phone plan, ignorantly thinking it was better or no different than anything else out there.

Boy, was I wrong! When I checked my phone plan, I learned that I could upgrade my husband’s and my phone for free to the newest model. On top of that, a new phone plan was available that gave us better features at a cheaper price.

Upgrading my phone resolved the glitches I was having. Everything runs so much smoother and faster now. And here I was being resistant to change for nothing!

I found these Bible passages to be applicable to this situation:

…put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (Eph 4:24)

The willingness to put of “the old man” and the old conversation about limits, history, etc., opened the door for new things that were even better than before — an important lesson that is applicable to other areas in life, too.

Wait on God

Recently, my husband and I have been looking into housing and various real estate options. It can be so tempting to want to know what will happen in the future? What will it look like? What should we do? Etc.

I’ve found, though, when we lean on God, just taking one step at a time, He shows us the way. If I focus on wondering what it will look like in the end, I miss the joy, trust, faith and discovery that is part of each day.

The Bible tells us to “wait on the Lord”, which I like to think about as continuing to serve God (rather than just sitting around).

Mary Baker Eddy explains, “When we wait patiently on God and seek Truth righteously, He directs our path.”

It used to drive me crazy to have to wait for something to happen. But now (I’m grateful for this sign of spiritual progress) I am able to listen more to God, wait on Him, and rejoice in the facts of His harmonious creation and government of all things.

When we keep our focus on God, Spirit, divine Love, then good things naturally unfold in our lives.

Jesus teaches this in the Sermon on the Mount. After asking his disciples why do they worry about tomorrow and wondering if God will provide them with the food, clothing, etc., he instructs: “…seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matt 6:33)

Finally, “Progress is the law of God”, writes Mary Baker Eddy, and since it’s a law we can lean on it and rejoice that it is operating in our lives.

 

Pause & listen

A favorite poem says “Shepherd show me how to go…”. Recently, when trying to quiet the mind so I can fall asleep, I pray: Shepherd, show me how to listen.

Listening is an activity and requires quieting one’s own will and stilling the human mind to be receptive to the divine Mind communicating quiet, calm, confident, peaceful ideas.

These ideas lead up to their divine Source; they take us higher to behold spiritual views (mentally and spiritually) and feel refreshed by this communion with a Holy Presence.

The poem continues: I will listen for Thy voice lest my footsteps stray…

We can strive to maintain this conscious communion with God throughout the day. Even while you are in a conversation, you can listen for divine Mind to communicate the words and ideas for you to share. If you feel your mental, spiritual footsteps beginning to stray, take a timeout to center yourself and bring your focus back to Good.

This also demands spontaneity and flexibility. It’s pretty hard to move a boat with an anchor down. Being open to new ideas will assist you to feel Divine Presence moving you through the day as naturally as a river current moves above the rocks in its way.

(The words of the poem mentioned are by Mary Baker Eddy.)