In one sense, the practice of Christian Science is like the practice of art. The Christian Scientist is bringing out in his or her life the vision gained of spiritual reality, of God and His harmonious creation. Christ Jesus is the Master and the example in this. His perception of spiritual reality healed those who were ready to receive divine Truth, to hear and feel the Word. It is worth remembering that Jesus lived, embodied, this vision of spiritual reality. It was alive to him as the only view.

When he was tempted to lay down his all for "the kingdoms of the world," his response was "Get thee behind me, Satan" (see Luke 4:1-13). The vision of reality that Jesus demonstrated can also be demonstrated today. But to do this we must follow his example in our lives and guard our thinking, admitting only what is in keeping with the spiritual reality he brought to light.

The Apostle John must have had this kind of watchfulness in order to have gained the new view of the perfection of reality that he describes in Revelation. He writes, "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea" (Rev. 21:1). About John's experience, Science and Health comments: "The Revelator was on our plane of existence, while yet beholding what the eye cannot see,—that which is invisible to the uninspired thought. This testimony of Holy Writ sustains the fact in Science, that the heavens and earth to one human consciousness, that consciousness which God bestows, are spiritual, while to another, the unillumined human mind, the vision is material." The book adds, "... St. John's corporeal sense of the heavens and earth had vanished, and in place of this false sense was the spiritual sense, the subjective state by which he could see the new heaven and new earth, which involve the spiritual idea and consciousness of reality" (p. 573).

Perhaps we feel the need for healing, for fresh vision, in our lives. This is when we can ask ourselves: What does God see here? The answer will definitely "involve the spiritual idea and consciousness of reality." In each case, what is really being demanded of us is to understand and yield to God's perfect government of man and the universe. Healing isn't about changing something real. It's about human thought being brought into conformity with the divine idea. The divine idea doesn't need to change; it is in the state of perfection eternally. And it is ever unfolding to human consciousness.

The way we progress is by yielding to the outpouring of God's ideas. Then our perception of what is really going on naturally changes. Challenges may come, calling themselves physical, emotional, organizational, or financial difficulties. But they come to be healed, never to be feared or respected. Often, the awakening to Truth requires work on our part to clear the vision.

Some years ago, my wife and I were moving into a new house. We had sixteen dollars left in the bank when my employer announced that he did not need my services anymore. The first mortgage payment was due in about two weeks. I pored over the employment section of the newspaper and the cards in the local employment office. Nothing seemed to fit.

That was when I decided it was time to pray earnestly. I asked, What does God know about all this? I could see that Love was caring for our family and that I could never be useless as the image of God. My job was to serve Him, listen for His direction, and obey joyfully. I spent the next few days listening, affirming His goodness, expressing gratitude for every good thing, no matter how small. I was earnestly working to see our family as God knew us—each one cared for, loved, protected.

Just as we ran out of food, my sister-in-law brought us a hamper of food that kept us going for a few days. I don't think she knew how much we needed that hamper. Then a friend called and asked if we would like to empty the freezer in her garage; she wanted it cleared out. Our needs were being met daily.

Then my brother contacted me, saying he was leaving in thirty minutes to attend a job interview at a company where two new employees were needed. Would I like him to pick me up, too? I was ready before I knew what the job was. In my praying I had been rejoicing that I was subject to God's power. I knew that Love's law was at work. That afternoon I had a new job that paid more than twice what I had been earning a few weeks before. My brother was hired as well.

Clearing our vision, seeing ourselves, others, and the universe in the light of Truth, we find all at one with divine Mind, which created and maintains all harmoniously. This is not an academic, intellectual exercise. It is lovingly lifting our sight to recognize our perfect, God-given state of being. We are actually the object of Mind's knowing, of Love's loving. We need not fight with the evidence of the so-called material senses, but can understand that it is unreliable, unreal. Fighting with discord as though it were true would lend it substance and thwart our efforts to see the harmony already present. Science and Health proclaims: "Unfathomable Mind is expressed. The depth, breadth, height, might, majesty, and glory of infinite Love fill all space. That is enough!" (p. 520).