In the face of war, political volatility, and threats of doom, we may sincerely ask, “What can we do?”
To answer that question, we also need to ask, “What cannot God do?” This may challenge us to sincerely search our hearts to know what we understand about God. It’s in knowing the truth of God that the fulcrum of humanity’s march toward harmony lies.
Christian Science, based on Christ Jesus’ words and works, teaches that God is omnipotent Love, omnipresent Truth – and it follows that those things that are not of Love and Truth have no power, so no substance or authority. Thus, “with God all things are possible,” as Jesus said (Matthew 19:26). And as the spiritual reflection of God, which we each truly are, it’s natural for us to increasingly perceive more of the infinite possibilities to be and do good and experience them.
So, what we can do in times of great unrest is to lean on God, love one another earnestly and fervently, and do good works – even in the face of evils that seem insurmountable.
In “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer of Christian Science, says, “This material world is even now becoming the arena for conflicting forces. … The breaking up of material beliefs may seem to be famine and pestilence, want and woe, sin, sickness, and death, which assume new phases until their nothingness appears. …
“During this final conflict, wicked minds will endeavor to find means by which to accomplish more evil; but those who discern Christian Science will hold crime in check” (pp. 96-97).
We all have the ability to discern Christian Science, which enables us to wake up from the dullness of helplessness and from being overwhelmed by news headlines. As we do, we find Christ’s way to be a force for good in the world. Here are some of the ways I’ve experienced this:
Lean on the divine energies of God, good
We can be a witness to the fact that God is one God: all-powerful, universal, ever present, and omniscient. To understand God as the only power is to refuse to give power to evil by fearing it or feeding into it. “In Science, you can have no power opposed to God, and the physical senses must give up their false testimony. Your influence for good depends upon the weight you throw into the right scale. The good you do and embody gives you the only power obtainable” (Science and Health, p. 192).
We can affirm the supremacy of good, God, in whom all things are possible. And we can expect and consent to seeing the effect of one harmonious, universal God: limitless good. This type of prayer supports the emergence and development of wise, practical solutions.
Love one another earnestly and fervently
There is a boldness in following Christ Jesus, who taught us to love our neighbor as ourselves – to see our neighbor as God sees them, and act on the basis of that view of them. Loving one another in this way – including loving one’s enemies – helps awaken us to the impersonal nature of evil, hatred, and revenge. And we can work to neutralize these ungodly traits through divine Love.
Love is a powerful neutralizer of evil, because Love is all-powerful. Like light excluding darkness, when Love shines on the darkest places of fear, it dissolves it. You cannot fear at the same time you love, as love and fear are incompatible.
Practice a revolutionary philanthropy
Philanthropy is revolutionary when it breaks through complacency and apathy with an unselfed love that brings us into engagement with those issues that need resolving.
“The rich in spirit help the poor in one grand brotherhood, all having the same Principle, or Father; and blessed is that man who seeth his brother’s need and supplieth it, seeking his own in another’s good” (Science and Health, p. 518). As we let God enrich us spiritually, we feel more love for one another. And Love leads us to the right and effective human footsteps to help others. Giving of our prayer, time, and resources comes from the abundance of Love, which continuously provides what we need. Because of this, we are enriched by giving, not depleted.
We prove this in proportion as we understand and accept that we are always under God’s supreme governance. Then we can answer the question “What can we do?” with a heartfelt and earnest devotion to bringing more of divine Principle, Love, to light through healing prayer and good works. Every effort to do good, no matter how small or big, has behind it, and demonstrates something of, God’s infinite, inexhaustible, and triumphant love.
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