Letting Our Light Shine Before Men

[Original article in French]

When Jesus said (Matt. 5:14, 16), "Ye are the light of the world. . . . Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven," he knew that the world has need to know that man is the image and likeness of God, reflecting His light and power. It is for us who are Christian Scientists to give evidence of this truth to our neighbors. We may be far from having proved all things with regard to either dominion or healing, but we always have enough evidence of God's care in our daily experience to present a happy countenance to our family, our friends, and those with whom we do business.

If for some reason we find ourselves struggling with a sense of sadness or suffering, and have to go out in the world before we have made our demonstration, should we not obey Jesus' injunction (Matt.6:16-18): "Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you. They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest anoint thine head, and wash thy face: that thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly"?

Before going to visit a friend, a student of Christian Science promised herself that the many seeming cares and trials of the week should not go over the threshold with her. She was going to bring affection joy, and gratitude, not disappointments, doubts, and gloom. Site decided that in these few hours she would endeavor to reflect the radiancy and joy of divine Love. This she did by admitting to her consciousness only those thoughts which testified to God's goodness and man's perfection. Needless to say, when she came away from the visit, her own problems were solved. The clouds had disappeared, and the spiritual ideas which she needed, came to her and enabled her to surmount the difficult situation.

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"Our Manual place"
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