One God unifies and heals

Mary Baker Eddy writes in the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures: “One infinite God, good, unifies men and nations; constitutes the brotherhood of man; ends wars; fulfils the Scripture, ‘Love thy neighbor as thyself;’ annihilates pagan and Christian idolatry,—whatever is wrong in social, civil, criminal, political, and religious codes; equalizes the sexes; annuls the curse on man, and leaves nothing that can sin, suffer, be punished or destroyed” (p. 340 ).

What a powerful statement! I have always been in awe of it, but I must confess that, while I believed that all things are possible to God, I felt that the statement was a bit on the optimistic side. Then I had an experience that considerably changed my viewpoint.

Several years ago my husband suddenly passed on. We had a small service business, and I found myself in the position of having to complete several projects on my own. Not only did I feel a great sense of loss, but I also really didn’t know how I could carry on. I wasn’t even sure I wanted to. Life didn’t seem worth living anymore. But I had grown up in Christian Science and knew that God was my life. I had experienced many healings, and had a deep love of God. Still, the grief and sense of loss seemed overwhelming. With the help of a devoted Christian Science practitioner, I found the strength to carry on. 

One of the things I had to do was to terminate some business dealings in Europe. I had never before traveled in a foreign country on my own, but again, with the prayerful help of the practitioner, I gained the assurance that all things were in God’s hands, and that as God’s idea I could do whatever was required of me. I found kindness and understanding wherever I went and, with my hand in God’s, was able to fulfill my duties harmoniously. 

With matters satisfactorily completed, I found myself alone in a hotel room in Zurich on the eve of my departure for home, when I suddenly had a panic attack. I was overcome with fear and felt very much alone. While I had flown this route numerous times before, it now seemed formidable. I dreaded making the journey and having to cope with the check-in procedures and immigration on the other end. I knew logically that being afraid was irrational, but I felt totally overwhelmed.

In my distress, I opened a copy of the Bible which Gideons place in many hotel rooms. (Gideons International is a Christian organization known for distributing free copies of the Bible.) In this case it was the New Testament in German, English, and French. I longed to feel a clear sense of love and, turning to the Gospel of John, proceeded to read all 21 chapters. Jesus said these words to his disciples to prepare them for dealing with a sense of human loss, and now it was assuring me of the presence of the Christ: “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you” (14:18). 

As I devoured the Scriptures, I realized I really was not being left alone. God was there to help me, guide me, provide for me. The three Epistles of John were next, and I read them into the early hours of the morning until I felt inspired, at peace, and had regained my dominion and an awareness of God’s government. I slept soundly until it was time to wake up for my flight, and awoke feeling in control and free from anxiety. 

I gained the assurance that all things were in God’s hands, and that as God’s idea I could do whatever was required of me.

At the airport, I breezed through check-in even though there were enhanced security procedures. When I boarded my plane, I found I was seated next to a young woman, a Muslim. I later learned that she was returning from Pakistan, where she had visited her family. She was now living with her husband and children near Boston, and had had a most unpleasant experience on her trip over. 

Before leaving, she had asked her family to pray for her that her return trip would be pleasant. At the same time my prayers had been “ascending” Spiritward, her prayers and those of her family were also being offered. I felt assured that God was answering both our prayers. We were of different religions, different ethnic backgrounds, different generations. But one thing we had in common was our faith in prayer and our belief in one God. I realized that every other difference was irrelevant. 

We had a wonderful time talking together, and it was one of the best plane trips I have ever taken. This young woman helped me retrieve my bags in the Boston airport, and we parted with warm hugs. 

I have often thought of this experience when seeking to feel God’s love and praying for world affairs. I had personally seen that recognizing there is one God, who governs all, is indeed a unifying experience. 

There are many things that would seem to divide society into groups—religion, politics, income level, and on and on. But these are artificial, man-made divisions. God knows nothing about them. He knows only His one perfect creation under His government. God is working out His plan and purpose, which is good for all, free from any man-made obstructions.

Also helpful to me is the realization that all over the world, good people of different religions, nationalities, and circumstances are praying for peace and harmony. Prayer is a worldwide activity. We are not alone in trying to heal a troubled world, and as James tells us: “The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective” (James 5:16, New Revised Standard Version).