"COMFORT YE , comfort ye my people, saith your God" (Isa. 40:1). This Bible verse has always been my source of inspiration in my practice of Christian Science. When I looked up the verb practice in the dictionary, I found the definition "to exercise, to say, to pronounce, to converse." Therefore, I often ask myself, How can I comfort God's people and alleviate their hurts, or give them something that nourishes the heart? What can I say to those who need help?

We are all instruments of God, which means that our ability to comfort and heal permanently doesn't depend on us, but on what governs us—on divine Love. As a practitioner of Christian Science, I consider myself a servant of God, carrying the message He puts on my lips to comfort His people. My great responsibility is to be where people can find me, and to carry out my mission of healing like a violinist who plays his instrument wherever he is, when there is someone willing to hear his music. The sound that comes from the violin doesn't depend solely on the instrument, but also on the one who plays it, and on the inspiration with which the violinist feels the music. In the same way, the practitioner is not the source of divine Love, but seeks Love's inspiration through prayer, in order to heal those who ask for his help.

One thing that sometimes causes concern in people who want to enter the public practice of Christian Science is the question of supply—whether they will have enough to live on. However, as I studied Christian Science, I began to understand that God is good; therefore, the universe is the sum total of good and there is an infinite supply of good within it. I've been in the public practice of Christian Science for many years now, and I pray constantly that the African countries facing misery and malnutrition can, at least in part, demonstrate this infinite goodness. There is a fountain that gushes continuously, giving its supply to all those who turn to it. This fountain is the fruit of divine Love itself; it's open to all nations and to all people. The life of each of us is determined by God, and He meets all our needs. As I have prayed this way, I have felt at peace.

The Bible shows us that the prophets and Christ Jesus trusted in God for the resolution of their problems. Many of the Bible stories are about people with needs similar to those that we on the African continent face. Twice, for example, Jesus had to feed crowds of people with only a little bread and fish (see Matt. 14:13–21; 15:32–38). Even though the situation must have looked dire to Jesus, he didn't let himself be influenced by the visible signs of lack. Instead, through his spiritual understanding that God is the source of good—and that we can't be separated from that good—Jesus multiplied what was in front of him and still had some left to feed those who followed him. He knew that what is truly needed to resolve problems are spiritual ideas. Ideas from God. And these ideas enable us to obtain what is necessary on the human level—whether it's a job, food, clothing, or housing. In Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, Mrs. Eddy said, "God gives you His spiritual ideas, and in turn, they give you daily supplies" (p. 307). I feel that my primary task is to be giving and to help my neighbor. Then, I receive an adequate supply of whatever our family needs each day.

The truth is, Africa has ample natural resources. But more than anything, Africa has thinkers—those who are receptive to spiritual ideas. Divine ideas are infinite and available to all. We can never lose them. Many Africans leave the continent to work elsewhere, thinking that the God in other countries is different from, or better than, the God in Africa. But, He is one God—the same everywhere—and He supplies our needs wherever we are.

In the parable of the prodigal son, in the Bible, the father said, "Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine" (Luke 15:31). I believe God is saying the same to each of us. Therefore, all that is God's—our Father-Mother's—is ours, as we are the beneficiaries of His inheritance. We inherit from Him all the wisdom and intelligence we need in order to have abundant lives. God, or good, does not choose a certain location on which to bestow this goodness. We can find it throughout His universe.

In the Bible it is written, "Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all" (I Chron. 29:12). This expresses what I, too, feel about God. css