Redemption & an inspiring example from Mary

woman-591576_960_720I love the inspiring example of Mary Magdalene in the Bible. We don’t know a lot about this woman, but we do know that she went to Jesus seeking forgiveness and was ready to repent, change her actions, and seek Christ.

[She] stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

Jesus treats her compassionately and forgives her sins (even defending her to the Pharisee who was judging her) . What a profound healing that must have been for Mary!

“Which of them will love him most?” was the Master’s question to Simon the Pharisee; and Simon replied, “He to whom he forgave most.” Jesus approved the answer, and so brought home the lesson to all, following it with that remarkable declaration to the woman, “Thy sins are forgiven.”

The part that I love is that Mary didn’t turn around and dwell on her mistakes; the Bible tells us she became a follower of Jesus, was there for him at the crucifixion and was even the first to see him after his resurrection.

What a practical, inspiring example for us today! We’ve all made past mistakes and wish we could have done things differently. But ruminating on them isn’t going to help! That is why I love the example of Mary. She didn’t need to wonder why she had done the things she had; she didn’t turn to the past to inform her who she was — whom Jesus saw that she was; she was a completely free woman fully capable of living her divine purpose going forward. The transformation that took place in her was a complete “new birth” experience.

We can all learn from Mary’s example, and go forward and shine!

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

___

Luke 7:38 KJV
Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 363:18
II Corinthians 5:17 NLT

 

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?

Reblog — Teen suicide: prayer that helps

Teen suicide: prayer that helps

By Judith Hardy Olson (via CSMonitor.com)

…The suicides of two of my friends’ teenage sons were a wake-up call to me. Comforting and consoling parents and schoolmates wasn’t enough for me. Deep in my soul I prayed, “Father, how can I best help troubled teens know that they’re needed?” I listened. What came was a sweet, strong assurance that Life and Love are inseparable, for God is both. Pondering Love as the only creator, I reasoned then that our entire being has to be (and is) just as lovely and loving as God is. God’s promise in the Bible that because we’re precious to Him we’re honorable and He loves us (see Isaiah 43:4) came alive to me. It said to me that each of us is because we’re precious. Why, of course. A God who is Love couldn’t, wouldn’t, create a single idea that’s not purposeful, precious, needed, wanted… Read more