Editorial February 2, 1981 Issue

The joy of being a Christian Scientist

DeWITT JOHN

We find comparatively little emphasis on joy in the earlier narratives of the Old Testament. But with the dawning of greater spiritual light in Hebrew thought, there are many references to God-given joy and gladness, as in the Psalms and in Isaiah. Later on, "good tidings of great joy"^{Luke 2:10.} heralded the appearing of the Christ. Joy characterized Christ Jesus' teachings. Even at the Last Supper he talked to his disciples about unfading spiritual joy. He said of the teachings he was giving them, "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."^{John 15:11.}

We of today have cause for unalloyed joy that truly warms the heart: joy that the Science of Christ's teachings is available to heal and comfort all who will accept it; joy in knowing that the answer to the aching emptiness of materialistic living can be found in blessings drawn from infinite Love; joy, indeed, that there is a God we can know and understand and love and trust. What gladness we can feel in knowing that the Christ Science enables us to experience here and now the prophecy of Isaiah: "With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation."^{Isa. 12:3.}

When we are working with Science, we find that every ounce of human struggle to do right, to be good, to trust God, wins oceans of loving response, inspiration, and spiritual support from the ever-present Christ. We have only to listen to the "still small voice"^{I Kings 19:12.} of this Christ and live the Christly teachings. Then we can depend on Love's infinite outpouring of good, which lifts the heart and wipes out fear and discord.