Nehemiah! Have you ever wondered if he had some special secret? I used to. I stood in awe of his steadfastness to duty, his ability to withstand both deception and intimidation, his absolute invulnerability to any temptation to leave his post. I was even more impressed when I read this description in a Bible reference book: "His career presents an exceptional combination of strong self-reliance with humble trust in God, of penetrating shrewdness with perfect simplicity of purpose, of persistent prayerfulness with the most energetic activity ...." ^{J. R. Dummelow, The One-Volume Bible Commentary (New York: The Macmillan Co., 1936), p. 278.}

I was impressed but not satisfied. I realized, of course, that it was the power of God he had relied on—but so did I. It must have been a lot easier for him to demonstrate these noble qualities, I thought, than it was for me. Then one day I found Nehemiah's secret—that is, I felt I recognized what had enabled him to be so steadfast. The reason had been obvious enough all along, I am sure, to anyone who was ready to recognize it in its deep spiritual significance. Nehemiah said, "I am doing a great work." ^{Neh. 6:3.} It was that simple.

Christ Jesus was obviously aware of his mission at a very early age. When his parents sought him "sorrowing," he asked, "Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" ^{Luke 2:48, 49.} How clearly he must have understood the great work—the greatest work—that was his to do. We stand in awe of his accomplishments.

Mrs. Eddy, like Nehemiah, was steadfast. Her humble trust in God, her spiritual intuition, her persistent prayer and relentless energy, are well known to her followers. Mrs. Eddy was keenly aware of the magnitude of her mission. She asks this thought-provoking question: "Has God entrusted me with a message to mankind?—then I cannot choose but obey." ^{Message to The Mother Church for 1901, p. 31.}

Mrs. Eddy's "great work" was to bring to mankind the message that the Christ has never left them; to reveal the Science that Christ Jesus demonstrated with such perfection in his healing and saving work; to reveal the Comforter, which enables all who accept it to heal in its name.

While none of us may be close to attaining the heights of Jesus, any sincere student of Christian Science recognizes that his own "great work" is to heal. Some may feel led to take steps toward listing in The Christian Science Journal as a public practitioner. Others may not feel that this is their present calling. However, we live in an age where the world's problems come to us daily via newspaper, radio, and television. So the Master's instruction to go into all the world and heal does not seem as impossible to accomplish as it may have centuries ago. Christian Science offers all of us the means to obey the Master's command.

One who is considering the public practice might pray for a clearer understanding of the greatness of the work he is about to embark on. This clearer understanding could help free him from the influence of the arguments that animal magnetism, or resistance to Truth, would use to obstruct his way. For example: I'm too young. I'm just a beginner. My spouse is not a Scientist. I don't have the time.

From the beginning of my study of Christian Science I had an overwhelming desire to be a practitioner. However, since I did not yet understand the aggressiveness or powerlessness of animal magnetism's attempt to stop the work, full-time practice seemed an impossible goal. Moreover, I was unwilling to give up what at that time seemed to me a glamorous job.

My employment at a political headquarters during various campaigns extended back for quite a few years. I was well acquainted with congressmen, governors, mayors, and the like. In the weeks preceding elections it was exciting to know the latest political news even before it came out in the morning paper! Everything about my work in politics fascinated me.

Then one day, on my way to meet a friend for lunch, I passed by the building where our political headquarters was regularly housed. I stopped and looked at it, and then—right on that crowded downtown street—I burst into tears. I reached out to God: "Father, show me what I need to know! I want so much to be a practitioner, but will I ever be able to give up all of this?" There was no answer.

However, in a few minutes I felt better and went on to meet my friend. She knew nothing about my taking up the study of Christian Science. We just talked politics. Later she stood with me on the corner while I waited for my streetcar. Suddenly she grabbed my arm and pointed across the street. "There's so and so. Oh, you remember her from headquarters. She was an alcoholic, and then she got some fatal disease. I understand she turned to Christian Science and was healed. She looks twenty years younger!" At that moment the streetcar arrived. As I stepped on, I felt all around me the warm, tender glow and presence of the healing Christ.

My prayer had been answered. Glamor was no longer important to me. Just four years after I first held a copy of Science and Health in my hands, I became listed in The Christian Science Journal as a full-time practitioner. I had found my "great work"—and so can you.

Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.

Psalms 65:4