Article November 20, 1954 Issue

I WILL NOT COME DOWN

HELEN M. GRIMES

"I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?" (Neh. 6:3.) How inspiring to us all are these words that Nehemiah sent by messengers to his enemies. This was his answer to their invitation to meet them in the plain of Ono and counsel together, thus delaying the great work of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah remained steadfast to the task at hand. He did not go down.

In Nehemiah's words we find the healing power of Christian Science exemplified. Daily, Christian Scientists, in realizing their oneness, or unity, with God, are building a wall of spiritual understanding. When temptations come, when mortal mind suggests disease, an accident, a human relationship problem, they can say: "I am doing a great work; I am busy seeing my true self as the reflection of God, so that I cannot come down to believing I am a mortal, sick and unhappy. Why should the work cease? Why should I stop for a moment from realizing my true relationship with Him and come down to suggestions of mortal mind? No, I will not come down."

Such an answer is consonant with Mary Baker Eddy's statement in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 3), "The Divine Being must be reflected by man,—else man is not the image and likeness of the patient, tender, and true, the One 'altogether lovely;' but to understand God is the work of eternity, and demands absolute consecration of thought, energy, and desire."

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

I WILL NOT COME DOWN

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access