Make time to move & melt mountains of matter-based concerns, an application “Met” for the Lesson on “Matter” for 3/17-3/23/03 by Gary Duke, C.S.
Golden Text: “The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord….” (Ps. 97:5) With the proper (prompt and persisitent) recognition of God, we can expect healing (melting like wax) of our hills and mountains of concerns about war, supply, relationships, health, homework, tests, etc. What concerns you most? Know that, even there, God is in control and able to make wonderful things happen!
Resp. Rdg.: “Be still, and know that I am God…” (Ps. 46:10)
How can we hear the “still small voice” within (I Kings 19:12) telling us which way to go if we’re too absorbed in war, work or play? “Rushing around smartly is no proof of accomplishing much.” (Mis. 230:12) Just previous to this statement she offers the following counsel, “Three ways of wasting time, one of which is contemptible, are gossiping mischief, making lingering calls, and mere motion when at work, thinking of nothing or planning for some amusement, – travel of limb more than mind.”
Section 1: “Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven….” (Jer. 10:2)
One definition of heathen is, “an uncivilized or unreligious person.” (Webster) Why not learn and join in some of the uncivilized ways (anger, impatience, sensuality, drinking, etc.) as long as we know Science too? “Your decisions will master you, whichever direction they take.” (S&H 392:22) Don’t we want our master to be good and true to us (right decisions) rather than bad and false to us (wrong decisions)?
Section 2: “…and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered….” (Dan. 12:1) Daniel prophesied great trouble and deliverance. Similarly, in our time many may be speculating and ruminating about impending war (e.g. millenarianism) without the substance of divine revelation as received by Daniel. Mrs. Eddy counsels us to beware of the -isms! “No analogy exists between the vague hypotheses of agnosticism, pantheism, theosophy, spiritualism, or millenarianism and the demonstrable truths of Christian Science; and I find the will, or sensuous reason of the human mind, to be opposed to the divine Mind as expressed through divine Science.” (S&H 110:32) Please observe the margin note, “Mystical antagonists.” What does that suggest about human opinion!
Section 3: “…the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.” (Matt.1:20) Of what benefit was this revelation of spiritual conception and obeying angels in other areas and times of Joseph’s life? How about in your life?
Section 4: “And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.” (Mark 1:40-42) According to Easton’s Bible Dictionary, “Lepers were required to live outside the camp or city. This disease was regarded as an awful punishment from the Lord. The leper had to warn passers-by to keep away from him, by calling out, ‘Unclean! unclean!’ nor could he speak to any one, or receive or return a salutation, since in the East this involves an embrace.” Jesus embraced the leper with compassion, talking, touching and healing. Are we doing the same with that and those deemed “unclean” in our own experience?
Section 5: “Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” (John 14:5,6,26) Have you ever felt afraid like Thomas, needing reassurance and guidance? You have the Comforter! “In the words of St. John: ‘He shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever.’ This Comforter I understand to be Divine Science.” (S&H 55:27)
Section 6: Mrs. Eddy outlines four duties in time of conflict as we are now facing. “During this final conflict, wicked minds will endeavor to find means by which to accomplish more evil; but those who discern Christian Science will
1. hold crime in check.
2. They will aid in the ejection of error.
3. They will maintain law and order,
4. and cheerfully await the certainty of ultimate perfection.” (S&H 96:31; numbers & bold italics added)
