Handling the claim of closing and downsizing churches

A few months ago, I felt the need to handle the claim of closing and downsizing churches. As I prayed to understand what Mind was seeing, the idea came to me that the situation was no different from that of the disciples at the cross who thought Jesus had died. At that moment I felt a present sense of renewal in me and knew that right there where a church appeared to be closing, right there was an unchangeable idea of self-existent Truth and efficacious Love, ever-creating, ever-resting, and ever-proceeding on infallible Principle. The source, substance, and condition of that church had never stopped operating, nor had its utility in the human consciousness lessened. Knowing that the “seed is in itself,” it is more likely that it will return some “hundredfold.” I accepted God’s ideas to be perpetual and prolific, so we can never be without the Science of infinite existence and its signs following.

The next idea that came to me was this statement in Miscellaneous Writings: “Growth is governed by intelligence; by the active, all-wise, law-creating, law-disciplining, law-abiding Principle, God” (Mis. 206:17). And then it gives the definition of a Christian Scientist: “The real Christian Scientist is constantly accentuating harmony in word and deed, mentally and orally, perpetually repeating this diapason of heaven: ‘Good is my God, and my God is good. Love is my God, and my God is Love.’” From this prayer I got the feeling that my thought of Christian Science and my part in it were changing, growing. I felt disciplined and strengthened by Love, and I knew that could only have good results, which we all hope for.

The next idea that came was to see everyone, everywhere, as a spiritual healer. So even the television newscasters and the sick and the dying, the criminals, and the politicians they were talking about became spiritual healers—spiritual ideas or emanations of immortal, immutable Mind, Life.

Needless to say my peace returned and my practice was blessed.