'The peace that passeth all understanding'—right now

MARILYN JONES, SENIOR WRITER

My daughter's boyfriend, Jimmy, played pro basketball after college. And before a career-ending injury, he consistently demonstrated grace and power on the court, hitting his three-pointers time after time. Jimmy told an interviewer that like many athletes, when his team won a game, he just moved right ahead, ready for the next one. However, the games they lost—those haunted him. In one shot of him after a devastating loss, the camera captures him sinking to his knees, his head in his hands. The enormity of the disappointment literally brought him down.

Boy, I've felt that way before, I thought. Often failure or disappointment looms so big in our thinking that the beautiful, positive moments and accolades flee past, giving only momentary affirmation or comfort. Yet, I know from my study of the Bible and Christian Science that that's not the nature of true, spiritual reality.

For example, when the Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of heaven would come, he answered, "The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:20, 21).

That promise means we don't have to wait to achieve serenity and confidence because they already exist within us. Negativity exists solely in our own thinking. That's why we can truly "wipe the slate clean" by consistent, wholehearted turning to the Christ—to Immanuel—"a divine influence ever present in human consciousness" (as Science and Health describes it, p. xi). Then, the downside loses its dominance, and God's peace and consolation fill our thoughts, fill our lives.

This week's issue provides the inspiration and practical steps to make God's promise of ongoing peace of mind a reality.

WHAT I SAY UNTO YOU I SAY UNTO ALL, WATCH.
—JESUS

The Christian Science Sentinel was founded in 1898 by Mary Baker Eddy, and its mission remains the same: "to hold guard over Truth, Life, and Love." The Sentinel continues to report on the unlimited ways that the healing power and presence of the Christ activates, uplifts, and transforms the lives of everyday people around the world.

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July 18, 2005

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