I’ve been seeing self-government in a new light. For a while, the concept, as it relates to practicing Christian Science, was confusing to me. It seemed as though self-government was to blame for individuals being left to their own devices, free to opt out of church commitments. I thought that if members of branch Churches of Christ, Scientist, were required to serve in some capacity, surely each individual and their church would be better off! 

At the time, I was unaware of this description of self-government in the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy: “Like our nation, Christian Science has its Declaration of Independence. God has endowed man with inalienable rights, among which are self-government, reason, and conscience. Man is properly self-governed only when he is guided rightly and governed by his Maker, divine Truth and Love” (p. 106). When I read this passage, I was struck by the fact that “proper” self-government takes place only when someone “is guided rightly and governed by his Maker, divine Truth and Love.” Listening to and obeying God is integral to self-government.

At one point, I was dismayed about what appeared to be a lack of active Christian Scientists in my age group. I didn’t feel inspired about a way forward, so I decided to call a Christian Science practitioner for help. The practitioner immediately put my concerns to rest by sharing the simple yet empowering reminder that what I had to do was see my peers as God sees them—as created in His image and likeness and therefore reflecting beautiful, divine qualities. I didn’t need to focus on changing their behavior or getting them to church.