Article May 2, 2016 Issue

Spiritual expectancy and the Word

Summer Wright

When one is seeking spiritual direction in life, a helpful practice can be, first, to pray, which opens thought to new ideas and acknowledges the certainty of God’s guidance, and then, to open the Bible and read whatever our eyes land on. This may seem impractical when looking for serious answers, but this practice includes far more than just reading the words on the page. Engaging with the Bible with the expectancy to hear, or discern, God’s guidance involves a receptivity to the inspired Word that goes beyond intellectual wrestling or human reasoning; it has to do with what could be called spiritual expectancy.

Expecting to hear what we need to hear is like tuning in to a radio station. We know what we’re looking for, and expect to find it, but we must take the time to tune in to the right frequency. Likewise, if we take the time to pray and turn to the Bible, the Word of God, with an expectation that we will receive an answer, we can find solutions. Praying this way removes from thought any preconceived human wants and needs, and lets the voice of divine Love guide and direct our thoughts and, therefore, our lives.

The first tenet of Christian Science, found in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, the textbook on Christian Science healing, says, “As adherents of Truth, we take the inspired Word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal Life” (p. 497). Adhering to Truth is following the inspired Word. The inspired Word gives us the spiritual ideas that transform our thinking and bring guidance, as well as tremendous healing results.

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