You Can Be a Healer August 5, 2013 Issue

'It was a natural step'

Robert Storm

All of us share the desire to make sense of this world. Everyone wants to find a sense of purpose, activity, place, and an authority that we can reliably turn to for answers. For me, Christian Science is the complete answer because it brings a clear understanding of God’s ever-present goodness and my inseparable relationship with Him—an understanding that’s available to everyone. It is the means for facing every kind of circumstance with the trust and conviction of God’s ability to orchestrate the right solution to meet the individual human need.

When I was younger, I made the decision to change my wayward life around and rely on Christian Science for direction. Peer pressure, the allure of recreational drugs and alcohol, and willfulness had culminated in a hellish experience, and I was desperate for redemption and stability (see testimony, Sentinel, September 18, 1971). Just days later, I made an appointment to visit a Christian Science practitioner in his office. After sharing with him how I had managed to mess up my life, I concluded in a remorseful tone: “I’ve only been a serious student of Christian Science for the past 20 days. I have so much to learn.” He immediately responded with encouragement: “Well, think about how much you will have learned in 20 years.” Pondering his words, I believe he was really echoing Mary Baker Eddy’s statement: “Life is eternal. We should find this out, and begin the demonstration thereof” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 246).

I faced many more challenges after that day, but the sincere application of what I understood to be Christian Science was always the key to right outcomes. Service in the US Army, marriage, family, membership in The Mother Church and a branch church, work-related challenges, and health issues have all ultimately served as opportunities to prove God’s love for me—and all have resulted in much-needed spiritual growth and healing. Paramount to my spiritual growth was taking Primary class instruction in Christian Science. I felt led to apply to, and was accepted by, the same kind man mentioned earlier, who was also a Christian Science teacher.