When I was in college, Christ Jesus’ teachings began speaking to me in a big way. The divine fire behind them arrested my thought, highlighting the imperative importance of what God had given His Son for the salvation of mankind. Jesus said, “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). I glimpsed the inestimable value of teachings that are our very life. God was awakening in me a sincere desire to act on our Master’s commands. And as I studied and prayed to understand and apply Christian Science, including Jesus’ words and works, an opportunity arose to actually do what God requires of us. 

It happened when I was waiting for a commuter train. I was walking up and down the platform in tears, saying to God, Ask me to love anyone but her! I cannot love this woman. The woman was a coworker who seemed to have taken a dislike to me, so much so that I dreaded going to work each morning. She seemed to enjoy making life hard for me.

This situation had been going on for some time. Finally, feeling desperate, I had contacted a Christian Science practitioner for help. I told her my sad story. Expecting her to take my side in this, I couldn’t believe my ears when she asked, “Do you really want to be free?” “Didn’t you hear what I said?” I wanted to say to her. “You will have to love,” she continued. “There is no other way.”