Addressing public issues and coming up with solutions is a passion of mine. But because opposing political parties prioritize different values and hold contrasting views of what should be done, it can be frustrating to try to find common-ground solutions. Many problems are left unsolved.
In my involvement with public issues, I’ve found that I can address these impediments to progress through prayer. I’ve learned in Christian Science that each of us is a spiritual expression of God – an idea of the divine Mind, the only Mind, which is governing all, always. How, then, could there be conflict or blockages among spiritual ideas all sourced in the same Mind? There cannot be.
Focusing on conflict, blockages, and other types of inharmony would mean seeing people as mortals rather than as the spiritual ideas of God’s creating. So I’ve instead begun acknowledging God’s creation as spiritual and harmonious and basing my thinking about others and the issues on this healing foundation.
The Christian Science textbook, “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” says, “One infinite God, good, unifies men and nations; constitutes the brotherhood of man; ends wars; fulfils the Scripture, ‘Love thy neighbor as thyself;’ annihilates pagan and Christian idolatry, – whatever is wrong in social, civil, criminal, political, and religious codes; equalizes the sexes; annuls the curse on man, and leaves nothing that can sin, suffer, be punished or destroyed” (Mary Baker Eddy, p. 340).
Because God is governing each person and the universe, He is properly and harmoniously ordering His entire creation. God values and has a right place for each of His children. And being from the same source, all individuals, though unique, are naturally in harmony with one another.
I like to think of analogies in regard to God’s ideas fitting and working together. For example, a symphony wouldn’t be just one note played steadily; the symphony has many distinct notes that come together beautifully in individuality, variation, completeness, and mutual support. Similarly, God weaves His diverse ideas, not into a uniform composition, but into a pleasing and congruent arrangement with contrast of color and light, making it harmonious, interesting, and meaningful.
As God’s offspring, we coexist in a coordinated, cooperative, and collaborative way. Everyone’s individual contribution is honored, and we can each feel our oneness with one another and with our common, infinite source. It’s natural for us to appreciate and be receptive to everyone’s contributions, all of which actually originate with God. Each one expresses “zeal,” which is defined in Science and Health, in part, as “the reflected animation of Life, Truth, and Love” (p. 599). Life, Truth, and Love are Bible-based names for God, and we all express the vigor of Life, the pure harmony of Truth, the oneness and unity of Love.
The Apostle Paul, recognizing that all are united by Christ, Truth, which Jesus exemplified, wrote, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). In my country we could say, “There is neither Democrat nor Republican, for we are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Paul also offers this practical advice: “Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do. … Let’s agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other. Help others with encouraging words; don’t drag them down by finding fault” (Romans 14:1, 19, Eugene H. Peterson, “The Message”).
I had the opportunity to put these concepts into practice when legislative inaction and conflict on an issue of great importance to me led me to run for public office. Although I wasn’t elected, I continued to pray about the issue and about finding a healing solution.
Ultimately, my initial opponent, his successor, and I were all harmoniously in support of the same legislative measure, and we developed a sincere appreciation for one another. In public testimony, the successor gratefully credited the outcome to my lack of fear and anger and acknowledged my efforts to build bridges across party lines. A spiritual view of the issue and of the other party brought healing to all. (For the full story, see “Prayer overcomes partisan division on climate legislation,” cssentinel.com, Sept. 2, 2021.)
We can recognize and respect God’s expression in everyone and see our spiritual unity. Let’s not be tricked into a condescending view of our neighbors but instead see all as God’s loved children. God expresses in us enough love to reveal and magnify the pure spiritual truth about everyone.
Adapted from an article published in the Nov. 20, 2023, issue of the Christian Science Sentinel.
