Healing the Sick

The writer is most grateful for a broader understanding of what "healing the sick" constitutes and would like to share this blessing with others. Some months after taking up the study of Christian Science, and having been uplifted and healed of many ills, she was inspired with a keen desire to help others. A great wish to be always about the "Father's business" possessed her. Some months followed, during which there was an apparent lack of patients. Disappointment and ingratitude often tried to creep into her thought and suggest that she was not doing God's work. Her time was certainly not taken up with the healing work as she had hoped it might be. A little self-examination was then found necessary, which revealed that she had been rigidly planning for herself to enter at once upon the healing work instead of letting divine Love point the way. Her eyes were then opened to see many little unsolved problemss close at hand. More self-examination revealed a lack of humility, unselfed love, and willingness to be faithful over the few things of home life.

In the period of struggle that followed in destroying the error which Truth had uncovered, much help was received from "Miscellaneous Writings." On page 118 she read, "Be of good cheer; the warfare with one's self is grand; it gives one plenty of employment, and the divine Principle worketh with you,—and obedience crowns persistent effort with everlasting victory." Healing the sick was thus seen to be not merely healing what are known as "patients," but a constant, individual striving to reflect those spiritual qualities which will melt away all shadows and reveal the glory of His presence. Joy and gratitude then became magnified in the writer's thought, and all the small or big tasks which she found to do took on a new aspect. Then inspired with Love, cleaning her brother's bicycle or doing the shopping became a joy, and every task an opportunity for reflecting more love. In these simple and homely lessons it was made plain that manifesting divine Love, whether in thought or deed, is certainly being about the Father's business. Error will sometimes suggest to us that after we have demonstrated a little of the healing power of Christian Science we are quite ready to branch off at once and give our time to more advanced and spiritual work. Then is the time to be still and examine ourselves, and see if it is not perhaps a desire for self-glorification that prompts us, instead of the honest desire to serve God. Does it not often appear that where our loving help and services are most needed is right where we are? Remember the words of the poet Milton, "They also serve who only stand and wait."

The childlike meekness and willingness to follow God which characterized the life of Mrs. Eddy should be a constant inspiration to Christian Scientists. This simple and Christlike attitude is indispensable to those entering this sacred task of healing the sick. Every expression of Scientific truth, whether mental or oral, is certainly obedience to this command of our Master. It is helping to destroy the belief in evil. What a privilege for us all as Christian Scientists to reflect such purity and love that all may be drawn to the Christ, Truth, to be healed. Then will the words of Isaiah be fulfilled, "The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." On page 17 of "Rudimental Divine Science" we read: "The ways of Christianity have not changed. Meekness, selflessness, and love are the paths of His testimony and the footsteps of His flock."