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GOD IS THINKING YOU. YOU HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST.
Metaphysical Application Ideas for The Christian Science Bible Lesson on
“Mind”
for August 15 – 21, 2022
by Kathy Fitzer in Lake Saint Louis, MO
kathyfitzer@gmail.com
INTRODUCTION: There is nothing more valuable in all the world than God’s love for His creation … and the intimate relationship we each have with Him and with His Christ. In the Glossary of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy defines Christ as, “the divine manifestation of God, which comes to the flesh to destroy incarnate error” (583:10). Jesus was the full embodiment of Christ. He completely understood his oneness with God. We can understand our oneness with God, too, as we “let this mind be in [us], which was also in Christ Jesus” (citation B15, Philippians 2:5). As we strive to see all things through the lens of that Mind, and emulate Jesus’ life and teachings in all we do, we will experience the dominion and power and love that Jesus revealed to all. We will discover the Kingdom of Heaven present here and now. We will realize the indissoluble relationship that we have with God as His divine image and likeness. This week’s Lesson reveals that we are the expression of what God, Mind, is knowing. We are His thought. In reality, all of creation is governed by the one Mind. And as we see that clearly, we will see harmony reign. Understanding the supremacy of Mind is the key to solving climate issues, bringing peace to individuals and nations, and establishing freedom from disease. Only what God, Mind, knows is true! This truth dissolves all discord.
The GOLDEN TEXT is from Psalm 115 and says: “The Lord hath been mindful of us: he will bless us.” The Hebrew word for “mindful”, zawker has been translated as, “to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to be remembered; think on; and to be thought of.” The New Life Version of the Bible translates the verse as, “The Lord has remembered us and will make good come to us”. The Living Bible uses the phrase, “is constantly thinking about us”. Because Mind is constantly thinking us and blessing us, we, and all of creation, are safe in Mind, governed by Mind and can never truly be outside of the realm of Mind. As we strive to think as Jesus thought — as we have the Mind of Christ — we will see this reality evidenced in our lives.
RESPONSIVE READING (RR): The children of Israel (Jacob) are clearly identified here as belonging to God. Like a Father, He was with them as they wandered in the wilderness before they entered the Promised Land. (Deut. 32:10, RR) Like a Mother, She cared for them as a mother eagle provides for and trains her young to fly. (Deut. 32:11, RR) As the only presence and power governing the people, God had with them a precious relationship – one that continues to be unconditionally available today to all ready to receive it. Although Paul’s thinking was well-rooted in Jewish law, and he would have taken comfort in these verses from Deuteronomy, as one Bible scholar observes: “he sees the relationship with what he has received from Christ even more valuable.” (CEB Study Bible).
Sharing with his readers what he has learned from this relationship, Paul tells them and us: “Here is a last piece of advice. If you believe in goodness and if you value the approval of God, fix your minds on the things which are holy and right and pure and beautiful and good. Model your conduct on what you have learned from me, on what I have told you and shown you, and you will find the God of peace will be with you” (RR, Philippians 4:8, J.B. Phillips). In other words, look for and find the good in everything that crosses your path.
How we think is the foundation of our experience. Sometimes good seems very obscure. But, as we persist in acknowledging that God is good and provides good to all, we can expect to see and feel the good — and the peace — that God does provide to all.
SECTION 1: YOU — AND ALL — ARE THE MANIFESTATION OF MIND
The Scientific Statement of Being reveals that “all is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation” (citation S3, 468:1-11). Mind would be useless without a manifestation … without “a perceptible, outward, or visible expression.” And there could be no manifestation without a source. Psalm 139 gives Biblical authority for understanding that the identity of all that is — of each individual person, animal, tree, rock, flower, etc. — is the expression (or manifestation) of infinite Mind. God knows us intimately — knows all our ways. And so is constantly with us, facilitating course corrections as needed. Man (all mankind) cannot possibly be separated from this all-knowing Mind. As the Psalmist asks, and we sing in Hymn 599, “Whither shall I go from thy spirit?” Whether things are going well (we are experiencing heaven) or poorly (we are experiencing hell) God “is there”. Whether walking on clouds (taking “wings of the morning”), or totally overwhelmed (dwelling “in the uttermost parts of the sea”), God is leading us and God’s power (“right hand”) is holding us up. David talks about how great the sum of God’s thoughts is— “more in number than the sand” (citation B2, Psalm 139:1-3,7-11,14,17,18). That is infinite Mind that knows all things. There is nothing outside of that Mind.
It was recently pointed out to me that Mary Baker Eddy asks “What is God” in Science and Health, rather than who is God (465:8). Who could allude to an anthropomorphic God that looks down from on high and manipulates and judges man, predestinating our lives — rewarding or punishing. But Christian Science identifies God in totally spiritual terms — as “incorporeal, divine, supreme, infinite Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, Love” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, 465:8-10). As we understand that our lives (the lives of all and of all creation) are truly the visible expression of this incorporeal power of Good, all sense of limitation and mortality falls away, and we have (here and now) “access to broader and higher realms.” Knowing that all mankind is the “infinite manifestation” of infinite Mind, we should expect — and acknowledge — evidence of “insight and perspicacity” to be expressed by individuals, those in government, and other positions of authority (cit. S5, 128:14). Perspicacity is a word worth looking up. Among the synonyms are: perceptiveness, clear-sightedness, intelligence, sound judgment, sensitivity, wisdom. Those qualities of thought belong to all!
SECTION 2: MIND GIVES UNDERSTANDING TO ALL OF US
Ever feel discouraged, thinking that some people just have so much more understanding of God than you do? And, if only you knew more, or had more faith, or whatever the case may be, that healing would come, or life would be easier or better? Most of us have probably felt something like that at some time or another. But … those suggestions are soooo bogus! They are ridiculous impositions that we need to reject! Why? Because God gives understanding to each and every one us, as Mind’s ideas (God’s beloved children).
Check out this translation for Job 32:8 … “there is [a vital force and] a spirit [of intelligence] in man, And the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding” (cit. B4, Job 32:8 AMP). Understanding isn’t something we have to get! It is a gift of God.
Mind is pouring out His “spirit” — moving thought as the wind moves the surface of water (cit. B5, Proverbs 1:20,23). As Isaiah writes, “all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children” (cit. B7, Isaiah 54:13). ALL of God’s children … no exceptions!
Check out citation S9: “Spirit, God, gathers unformed thoughts into their proper channels, and unfolds these thoughts, even as He opens the petals of holy purpose in order that the purpose may appear” (cit. S9, 506:18). Ideas don’t need to be manufactured. Everything we need — every answer, every prayer, every idea — is already ours. We are complete! But, just as you have all of the ingredients you need to bake cookies in your kitchen, someone may need to gather the ingredients and unfold to you how to put them together before cookies can be baked and enjoyed. Love gathers every thought you need and unfolds these ideas when you need them in a way that you can understand.
So, what do we need to do? Samuel serves as a great example. His life was devoted to serving God. We don’t need to be physically serving in a temple, as Samuel was. To me, the idea is that Samuel was conscious of God’s presence, loved God, and was eager to obey His direction. That’s something each of us can do. I find it helpful to think of loving God as simply loving good, and seeing God as the source of all good. And, Samuel was receptive to God’s call and responded in the best way he knew how. He assumed it was Eli calling. But, when that wasn’t the case, he didn’t doubt what Eli told him. Rather, he responded, “Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth” (cit. B6, I Samuel 3:1, 3-6, 8-10, 19).
When we are seeking inspiration or guidance (or even if we’re not really seeking it, but need it), Love will provide what we need. We need to be willing to put preconceived notions away, and when an idea comes — especially when it comes in a quiet, persistent way — we need to respond. As we acknowledge that Mind lovingly guides and instructs each one of us individually, we can be confident that we will hear what we need to hear, and be able to humbly follow. This approach allows us to feel at peace no matter what!
SECTION 3: WHEN FEELING OVERWHELMED, PRAISE GOD
I suspect we’ve all felt overwhelmed at some point in our lives. And, when embroiled in a difficult situation, human thought often doesn’t instinctively respond with praise (that is, with an expression of “respect and gratitude”). But, during times when the human situation seems most dire, praise for God’s ever-present goodness is most needed! The Psalms are full of examples of David crying out to God when he felt overwhelmed (cit. B8, Psalm 61:1,2). Psalm 107 describes multiple scenarios of human difficulty and describes how God has helped and delivered the people — from aimless wandering in a desert, to being held captive, to dealing with diseased bodies, to being tossed by the waves of the sea. It is likely we have all felt like we were wandering aimlessly at some point, or trapped, or swamped by waves of all kinds of difficulties. Regardless of the specific nature of the problem … the answer to freedom is the same. “Praise the Lord for his goodness … cry unto the Lord”. And, as we do that, Love hears our cry, and will save us “out of [our] distresses” (cit. B9, Psalm 107: 8, 9, 19, 20, 29, 30).
The secret is to stop in its tracks that first instinct to worry and feel helpless. Dive deep beneath the surface view by cherishing and praising what God is. God is Principle, bringing order and giving no origin to anything but good; Mind, that knows all things and reveals clear understanding; Love, that shows mercy and kindness always; all-harmonious Soul; limitless Spirit; uninterruptible Life without beginning or end; and Truth that destroys every lie of inharmony by not being “the author of confusion, but of peace” (cit. B11, I Corinthians 14:33).
We’re told to “stand porter at the door of thought” (cit. S12, 392:24). Watch! What are we accepting as true? As we dive deep into reality by praising God — being grateful for what really is, even before the scene has changed, we find calm. Understanding the nature of waves in the ocean can give us confidence to submerge ourselves in what God is, knows, and expresses. Scientists have discovered that “even in the strongest storms marine life or submarines can avoid heavy waves by submerging below the wave base.” Praising God enables us to go below the waves of mortal thought. There and then, we too, will find calm whenever the mental or physical storm would try to overwhelm us — even while on the surface all storms can “roar without me” (Hymn 148:1).
As we simply turn to God with appreciation, praise and love, God does the work! “The divine Mind is the Soul (identity) of man, and gives man (that’s us) dominion over all things” (cit. S13, 307:25-26). It’s a gift! Gratefully accept it! I find that singing hymns just for the sake of praising … not to find some nugget to “use” to fix something, and being grateful for everything good (big and small) is a wonderful way to yield thought to God. Love guides each of us. Joyously follow!
SECTION 4: REPENT (CHANGE YOUR VIEW) TO SEE MIND’S KINGDOM
Jesus’ constant message was that God’s Kingdom is right here. In order to experience it, we need to repent (cit. B12, Mark 1:15). The Greek word, metanoeo, that our word repent comes from simply means, “to think differently” or “reconsider.” And that’s exactly what Jesus did and what Christian Science teaches us to do.
Instead of accepting the testimony of the physical senses (presenting sickness, fear, scarcity, conflict, death, etc.), we can “think differently” (repent) and see right there the health, confidence, abundance, harmony, and life that are the natural conditions of infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation. We’re not fooled by shadows or dreams (or at least not fooled for long). Similarly, we don’t need to be fooled by any physical evidence that contradicts God’s law of good!
Mary Baker Eddy says that Jesus “plunged beneath the material surface of things, and found the spiritual cause” (cit. S16, 313:23-26). We can do that, too. I remember a wonderful healing my younger son had when he was very young. He had an unsightly growth on his eyelid. As a young mother, I had trouble not focusing on it and not being fearful. But, with the help of a Christian Science practitioner, I learned to look through the material evidence to see how Mind had made him … pure, complete, and incapable of having anything inharmonious added to him. I was never aware of the growth falling away, but one day it simply wasn’t there … leaving no mark. To me, this is an example of this statement, “The effect of this Science is to stir the human mind to a change of base, on which it may yield to the harmony of the divine Mind” (cit. S19, 162:9). Nothing changed except my view. I had “repented.” I saw my son differently. I plunged beneath the surface and perceived the spiritual idea, forever held safe in Mind and manifested to the human view. The “human mind [gave] place to the divine Mind” and health was restored (cit. S20, 176:13).
When something comes up that needs healing, rather than fearing the condition, or trying to fix the physical condition, we must realize that the only need is to adjust human thought to align with what Mind knows (cit. S22, 396:22-26,30). Part of that is letting go of the idea that changing human thought is hard or thinking we have to search for and find a specific something that needs correcting. The key goes back to the need to repent … to think differently — to stop thinking in terms of human mind or human body. Instead, as we focus so completely on “the enduring, the good, and the true” that Mind is continually revealing and communicating to us, that which Mind does not know disappears and we say healing has taken place (cit. S23, 261:4).
SECTION 5: SHIFT FOCUS FROM BODY TO MIND, AS JESUS DID
Paul instructs the Philippians to “let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (cit. B15, Philippians 2:5). And, the 6th Tenet of Christian Science instructs us to “promise to watch, and pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus …” (see Science and Health 497:24). In reality, we do have that Mind because there is only one Mind, of which we are all the full manifestation. But, I think Paul’s intent (and Mary Baker Eddy’s) was to urge people to think and act as Jesus thought and acted.
One of the things Jesus emphasized was the importance of seeking the kingdom of God, rather than focusing on the human fears, needs and wants that constantly bombard us. God, being Love itself, being Mind itself, knows what we need and naturally supplies it (cit. B16, Matthew 6:25-28, 29, 31-33). When we’re distracted by our own agenda, by fear, or by the lies of physical evidence, we are blinded to the good of God’s kingdom already present. it’s like when we’re looking for an answer — or for a physical object. Many of us have experienced not seeing something that is right in front of us because we’re so distracted by other things going on that we look right past it! Keeping thought focused on good (whether it seems to be present or not), acknowledging Mind as the source of all good, and knowing that Mind cares for the human body and for all of creation, allows God’s government (God’s all-good Kingdom) to come into view.
I love the imagery of a bird which “has burst from the egg and preens its wings for a skyward flight” (cit. S28, 261:24). While inside the egg, all that bird knows is darkness. Even after hatching, all it knows is the inside of the nest and a very limited view around the nest. But, when it learns to fly, it discovers the world that was always there, though unseen. We have no idea how limited our view is. No matter how much we think we know, as long as our sense of things is based on the evidence of the material senses, we haven’t even begun to see the infinite manifestation of infinite Mind! But, as we “fix [our] gaze on the realities supernal” we will see beyond the physical evidence. We will see harmony where inharmony appears, abundance rather than want, and solutions where hopelessness seems to reign (cit. S28, 261:4). That’s what Jesus did. And, we can do it, too, because we have the same Mind as Jesus!
SECTION 6: HAVING “THAT MIND WHICH WAS ALSO IN CHRIST” (467), WE, OURS, & ALL WILL FEEL GOD’S BLESSING!
“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (cit. B19, Romans 15:5, CEB).
This section opens with a repetition of the Golden Text (cit. B18, Psalm 115: 12). God is “mindful of us.” Understanding God to be Mind itself, I find it helpful to reason that God isn’t just thinking about us — which to me indicates a sense of separation. God is thinking us!!! We are God’s thoughts. And, because we are God’s thoughts it is natural for us to love others as Love loves. It is natural to love as Jesus loved because we all have the same Father — the same Source! And, because we all have one Father (God), we truly are all brethren, unified by one Principle — the law of Love!
We all look different, think differently, have different cultures and ideologies. But, we are still all one. Numbers and notes all have different tones and shapes and values. But each is vital and complete and valuable. Together, they blend, and express the wholeness of math or of music. We are each complete and vital and valuable. And together (as mankind) we blend, and express the wholeness of Mind. Jesus understood that.
And, as we see ourselves as united to God, we, too will experience and express the “Mind which was also in Christ” (cit.S30, 467:13). We will feel God’s blessing! And our world will feel it, too.
GEMs of BIBLE-BASED application ideas from COBBEY CRISLER & others are in the works and ARE POSTED in part. They will be SENT in full later this week. Check current GEMs at CedarS INSPIRATION website, or later in your email, if you have SUBSCRIBED FOR IT on this webpage.
Ken Cooper POETIC POSTLUDE contributions related to this Bible Lesson will ARRIVE LATER IN THE WEEK. When they do arrive, the poems will be POSTED on CedarS INSPIRATION website & be EMAILED TO THOSE WHO SUBSCRIBE FOR THEM HERE.
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