There's something about the nature of contemporary society that would try to reduce all things in life, even the sacred, to the level of "fun and games." Recently we noticed a small classified advertisement in a religious magazine. The ad was selling discipleship games and adventure novels, along with fantasy and science fiction, for children.

It wasn't clear from the ad's copy just where the discipleship left off and the science fiction took over. And it was sad to think that young people might be growing up without a proper distinction between the stuff of fantasy and the life-changing, life-giving reality underlying the demands of true discipleship. The ministry of Christian healing that Jesus commended to his followers may be a profound spiritual adventure; yet it's anything but a game or a fantasy.

Christian healing, in its broadest sense, is actually the substance of discipleship. It is not intended for a select few but is a sacred responsibility for every one of Jesus' followers. It is a holy ministry charged with the care of nothing less than all humanity, beginning with love for our neighbor as ourselves. The purpose of metaphysical healing is to cleanse human minds of sin, to bring comfort to grieving hearts, to mend broken lives and broken bodies, to restore the true good that seems to have been lost to so many. This is the work Christ Jesus did. And there is no way to get around his words to each of us: "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also." ^{John 14:12.}

For the Christian healer facing the great and urgent needs of our time, a tough-minded realism is essential—a mature recognition of what is actually necessary for healing in the way of individual spiritual growth, redemption, and regeneration. The Christian can never lose sight of the fact that healing is finally about salvation. Even beyond the cure of disease and the overcoming of pain, as vital as these are for the sufferer, Christian healing is about overcoming sin and working out one's salvation.

Christian Science explains the basic cause and effect of metaphysical healing from a radically spiritual standpoint. It teaches that God alone is the sole governing power, that His power is for good alone, and that this power maintains creation according to divine laws of harmony, order, and purity. The Science of Christ also teaches that the one omnipotent God is infinite Spirit and eternal Life, and all that He creates must express His own nature. Therefore man, as God's likeness, is spiritual, whole, manifesting immortal good in every aspect of his being.

This fundamental spiritual reality is the truth of our own identity. This man of God's creating is who we are. It's clear, of course, that the divine standard flatly contradicts the educated material sense of manhood and womanhood as frail, fragile, inherently sinful, mortal, and corporeal. But according to Christian Science, the mortal appearance, no matter how solid and convincing it seems, is an illusion, a deception—and can be shown to be such through spiritual healing.

Central to this demonstration is our prayer, coupled with fidelity, consecration to the divine good, and humility. Based on the Christianly scientific truth of being, our prayer breaks through the illusions. With spiritual sense we actually see something of God's kingdom here and now. A wonderful transformation begins to take place in consciousness. Light shines on the dark places of fear and sin and pain. We know more of who we are as God created us. We live closer to the ideal. We are healed; and we are enabled to bring this healing to others.

In an article titled "Christian Science," Mary Baker Eddy writes: "Metaphysical healing, or Christian Science, is a demand of the times. Every man and every woman would desire and demand it, if he and she knew its infinite value and firm basis. The unerring and fixed Principle of all healing is God; and this Principle should be sought from the love of good, from the most spiritual and unselfish motives." ^{Miscellaneous Writings, p. 232.}

This "demand of the times" is a far cry from games and fantasy and science fiction. There can be no question that answering Christ's call to a discipleship of healing, which is in fact coming to each of us at this present hour, is a serious affair. But this holy work is certainly not without its joy. In fact nothing fills life with more joy or purpose or satisfaction than the prayer and communion with God—and the caring for one another—that are always at the heart of Christian healing and true discipleship.

William E. Moody