No steering off course
For the Lesson titled “Mind” from February 17–23, 2014
This week’s Christian Science Bible Lesson, titled “Mind,” shares insights and examples that point to our innate connectivity to one divine Mind. And further, it shows us that Mind, God, provides us with unfailing guidance. If ever questioning our decisions and direction, we can realize that the personal I doesn’t know all the answers, but Mind does, and when we get the personal I out of the way and listen to Mind’s direction, we can’t steer wrong! This wonderful promise of Mind’s unerring direction is illustrated in this Lesson through the examples of Abraham, Elijah, and Christ Jesus.
When Abraham was told by God to divide the land between his nephew, Lot, and himself, Abraham didn’t worry about knowing which part would be his. He simply trusted God as he had done throughout his life, and willingly listened to God’s direction, without argument (see Genesis, chaps. 12 and 13 , citations 2 and 3). Abraham is the proverbial example of faith and trust in God (see Hebrews 11:8–10 ). No wonder he is a patriarch of the Bible, whose position of faith and humility is the starting point of much growth forward.
In First Kings, Elijah proclaimed God as the true God. Despite threats to his life, storms, and near starvation, he was able to hear God’s direction in the “still small voice” (19:12 , cit. 6), and the threats dissipated.
Jesus, when encountering people suffering from diseases, was able to hear Mind through spiritual intuition, revealing the perfect spiritual nature of an individual. As a result, he was able to heal many, just as he was able to bring calm to the midst of a storm (see Luke, chap. 5 , cit. 11, and Mark, chap. 4 , cit. 17). Both Elijah and Jesus were looking beyond matter to Mind, as Mary Baker Eddy describes: “The metaphysician, making Mind his basis of operation irrespective of matter and regarding the truth and harmony of being as superior to error and discord, has rendered himself strong, instead of weak, to cope with the case; …” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 423 , cit. 15).
Second Thessalonians includes a clear prayer for direction: “The Lord direct your hearts into the love of God” (3:5 , cit. 20). This word direct is the Greek word kateuthuno, which means to make or keep straight, to set right, guide aright. It isn’t a common word in the New Testament, but probably was familiar in Greek-speaking cities. The second part of the word, euthuno, means straight, and in the noun form, refers to the steersman or helmsman of a ship.
Also, implied in the word kateuthuno is the removal of hindrances. What are the hindrances to hearing Mind? They could be summarized by what Paul said, “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others” (Philippians 2:4 , cit. 21). The New Revised Standard Version reads, “Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.” This self-forgetfulness enabled those individuals in the Bible to hear and follow Mind’s leading. Being at one with Mind is not an intellectual process; it is felt through our hearts, as implied by Second Thessalonians.
About the author
Name: Christa Kreutz IP: 127.0.0.1 Copyright Agreement - 2013-12-17 09:27AM: JSH Contributor Copyright Assignment In return for the opportunity to participate or for other consideration, I hereby assign to The Christian Science Publishing Society, 210 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA (“CSPS”) the copyright, which includes all the privileges of copyright as defined in the U.S. Copyright Act, in my Text contribution submitted with or otherwise described in this Agreement, with the understanding that such Text contribution may be published by CSPS, including without limitation in The Christian Science Journal, Christian Science Sentinel, The Herald of Christian Science, as the article on Christian Science in The Christian Science Monitor, on JSH-Online, and/or in any other print, electronic or broadcast products of, and on other websites maintained by, CSPS and/or its licensees. I also irrevocably relinquish for the benefit of CSPS and its assigns any moral rights in my Text contribution which may be recognized by applicable law. I understand that my Text contribution may be published, broadcast, transmitted, displayed, performed, or otherwise distributed worldwide in electronic, print, audio and/or audio-visual media or formats distributed by means of radio, TV, Internet, or any other media or distribution methods currently existing or that may be developed in the future. Because this is a copyright assignment, subsequent use by CSPS or its licensees will not require my further permission or approval. I understand and agree that when my Text contribution is reprinted or republished, it may be edited. Except when anonymity has been requested, my name, city, state or province, country, and any other biographical information I provide may be included or omitted with my Text contribution in CSPS’s sole discretion. I represent and warrant that my Text contribution is an original work and does not violate any copyright or other rights of any person or organization. This Copyright Assignment shall be binding on my heirs, executors, administrators, next of kin and legal representatives and shall be governed by the laws of the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts without regard to choice of law principles. last updated 8/08/2012