At the beginning of a new year, I can’t help but step back a little and take a more thoughtful look at my life’s direction. As a waymark, over the last 12 months I’ve come back often to this encouraging verse in the Bible: “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25).
We are all created by God, divine Spirit. To “walk in the Spirit” means to me to strive to see a little more day by day how my thoughts and acts reflect God. To know deep down that divine Spirit is what gives us life is a wonderful thing. The opposite of Spirit is matter, but Christian Science reveals that Spirit is all that truly is real; Spirit doesn’t mix into its creation any molecules of matter. Spirit, as the source of all that we are, causes us to have a fully spiritual identity. We can be healed by this inspiring knowledge of our true identity, and heal others, too.
I’ve found that consistently studying the Science of Christ—the truths of what God and God’s creation really is—is so inspiring. But we really go forward when, in response to what we’ve studied, we have a change of behavior, a change of heart—seen in humility, the willingness to follow God’s leading. Speaking of God’s power, the Bible says poetically, “As a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed” (Psalms 102:26).
Anytime our study and prayer lead to a change of perspective, we end up seeing more of God in everything. We abandon what we used to think, and even fear, in exchange for the elevated viewpoint that God, who is divine Love, has provided about the facts of our real existence as God’s spiritual, perfect creation. Then we have the joy of bringing these new perspectives into action. Everything we do, even the simple things like washing the dishes or feeding some birds, can overflow with our love for God and what God is doing in us.
In her book “No and Yes,” Monitor founder Mary Baker Eddy challenges readers to connect more solidly and actively with the fact that Spirit’s goodness is the sole reality. She affirms, “In divine Science, God is recognized as the only power, presence, and glory” (p. 20). In place of fear, then, we recognize the abundance of God’s love. In place of restriction, we behold the infinite freedom we each have in God. In place of any lie about God’s creation, we see the likeness of God, the reflection of God’s utter goodness.
Once, when I was ill with an infection, I realized that it was a splendid opportunity to see Spirit’s glory, presence, and power in action. My prayers, I knew, shouldn’t just be dry words. My God-given spirituality had to become what fully and vibrantly interested me.
I reasoned this way: My prayer and study so far had prepared my thoughts to shift, but it’s generally when I’ve put what I’ve learned into action that I’ve noticed significant changes and gains. Christian Science teaches that our experience is transformed when Spirit’s inspiring presence and guidance move our thought.
Knowing that a change of thought means a change of experience, I made the decision to be very consistent in loving the purely spiritual way that Spirit has made each of us. Hour by hour, I chose to adore this wonderful counsel from the Bible: “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” My progress was hard-earned but paid off a couple of days later in my full recovery.
All around the planet today, there are people who are committed to praying and really bringing inspiration into action. We join them as we invite Spirit’s goodness, authority, and presence to transform us. No doubt, this brings into view Spirit’s present, tangible goodness, for which the world has so much need.
