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What's so fascinating?
“Fascinating!” We might exclaim this in a positive way, such as when we see an accomplished artist at work in the park or when a friend makes an astute observation.
But sometimes fascination has a darker edge. From keeping our eyes glued to a vitriolic program on TV, to ruminating anxiously over an illness or emotional wounds, we may find that fascination tries to keep us riveted on ugly messages and pictures. That kind of fascination pulls our thought away from God, divine Soul, and down to feeling separated from Soul’s healing presence.
One dictionary definition of fascinate is: “(especially of a snake) deprive (a person or animal) of the ability to resist or escape by the power of a look or gaze.” And where do we find one of the most infamous stories about a snake, but in the allegorical second account of Genesis in the Bible, where the serpent convinces Eve (with Adam following suit) to disobey God and eat from the tree of good and evil. Spoiler alert … this path doesn’t work out so well for either of them!
Thankfully, we are not trapped in an Adam-Eve story, helpless and doomed to struggle mightily through human will. When we feel “serpent thoughts” are trying to convince us there is something more compelling or worthy of our attention than good, often the antidote to becoming transfixed is to drop the notion that something dark and scary really lurks and that it must be pummelled through prayer.
Often the antidote to becoming transfixed is to drop the notion that something dark and scary really lurks.
Mary Baker Eddy helps readers find relief from this belief in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures: “Mankind must learn that evil is not power. Its so-called despotism is but a phase of nothingness. Christian Science despoils the kingdom of evil, and pre-eminently promotes affection and virtue in families and therefore in the community” (pp. 102–103 ). We get to prove this spiritual fact step by step. And Jesus helped us along in this endeavor by giving us the Beatitudes, which explain the pure blessings that come when we turn our full attention to God (see Matthew 5:1–12 ).
With Christ as our “meek and bold defender” (Laura C. Nourse, Christian Science Hymnal, No. 392 ), we can aim for a clearer recognition of evil’s powerlessness. The contrast between the smallness of mortality and the infinite goodness of God becomes striking when, in daily actions, we become truly captivated by every little example of what reflects the beauty and constancy of divine Soul.
So whether it’s turning off the noise on TV, blessing instead of cursing when a painful memory comes to mind, or simply moving away from a preoccupation with self, it’s natural to break free from unhealthy fascination of all kinds, and to be more and more interested in the “joys of Soul” (Science and Health, p. 390 ). God is with us along this road.
June 9, 2014 issue
View Issue-
Letters
Mary Nummelin, George S. Birdsong, Jr.
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How can communities recover from violence?
G. Jeffrey MacDonald
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Spiritual perspective on the World Cup
Kim Shippey
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One God unifies and heals
Diane Mueller Hoisel Wanger
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Help when you need it
George Zucker
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Almost lost—but found—at sea
Seaward Grant with contributions from Ballan Keen
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The garden of His planting
Fenella Bennetts
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Finding true security
Steve Warren
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A student of Christianity
Vicki Turpen
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Where is God?
Evangeline
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I knew I was in God's arms
Olivia
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'My breath returned to me'
Geoffrey D. Hill
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Emergency responders, armed with prayer
Lauren Blake Crandall
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True identity found
Sharon Leman
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Steady prayer, progress, and healing
Suzanne Goewert
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What's so fascinating?
The Editors