In the Gospel of Mark, we read, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight” (1:3). Mary Baker Eddy gives this definition of wilderness in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures: “Loneliness; doubt; darkness. Spontaneity of thought and idea; the vestibule in which a material sense of things disappears, and spiritual sense unfolds the great facts of existence” (p. 597). These statements remind me of my experience of finding my way out of a career in medicine and into the study and practice of Christian Science.

Working in the medical field had been becoming more and more of a wilderness experience for me. Having a growing dissatisfaction with, and doubt about, what I had studied for years, I was feeling lonely, and even fearful. After learning what Christian Science teaches, I didn’t know what to do with my new insights. But at least I could understand why I’d been doubting my medical work. I also realized that until now I’d had no idea who I really was, let alone that I was spiritual. 

I learned that man (each individual’s true being) is the pure reflection of God, Soul, and that therefore man is sinless, having a perfect, unique, spiritual identity. Since man reflects God spiritually, he is not a material body or bound by matter; he is not subject to inharmony or death, and is incapable of sin and suffering. That all seemed so wonderful!