Article September 11, 1995 Issue

Help within the sanctuary

Pauline D. Jenner

We all have times in our lives when we look for a refuge. And we don't have to go far away to find it. It is right where we are, and Christ Jesus told us how to find it: "When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly" (Matt. 6:6).

Of course, Jesus did not mean for us to go to some physical location. The closet is found as we become conscious of God's presence. Here we learn of our true, spiritual identity and of our unbreakable relation to God. In Science and Health Mary Baker Eddy comments on Jesus' instructions: "The closet typifies the sanctuary of Spirit, the door of which shuts out sinful sense but lets in Truth, Life, and Love. Closed to error, it is open to Truth, and vice versa." She continues later in the same paragraph, "To enter into the heart of prayer, the door of the erring senses must be closed. Lips must be mute and materialism silent, that man may have audience with Spirit, the divine Principle, Love, which destroys all error" (p. 15).

This spiritual sanctuary is also a refuge from sickness. One night while I was lying in bed, I felt the aggressive symptoms of nausea. The word sanctuary came to mind. I knew from my study of Christian Science that it was possible for anyone to find safety in "the sanctuary of Spirit." I needed to turn away from the suggestion of nausea and to trust God to tell me what I needed to know of my true, spiritual identity and my relation to Him.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Editorial
Reflecting God
September 11, 1995
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit