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Metaphysical Application Ideas (Met) for The Christian Science Bible Lesson on
“Spirit”
For February 1-7, 2020
by Christie C. Hanzlik, C.S., Boulder, CO
• ccern@mac.com • 720-331-9356 • christiecs.com•
Here’s AN AUDIO LINK to enable you to hear Christie read “We are inspired by Spirit” — her “Met,” for this week’s Christian Science Quarterly Bible Lesson on “Spirit.”
You can also cut & paste into your browser this address:
https://www.cedarscamps.org/metaphysical/audio/play/audio-met-on-spirit-by-christie-hanzlik-cs/
I find useful to have crisp and clear definitions of the terms in the weekly Bible Lessons, and this week’s Lesson on “Spirit” is no exception. To me, Spirit is that which ignites, brings enthusiasm, gives freshness and newness, breathes life, and that which inspires. While each of us will find an individual connection with this week’s lesson, and each of us has our own understanding of the word “Spirit,” for the purposes of this week’s “Metaphysical Application Ideas” I’m thinking of Spirit as divine inspiration.
Golden TExt And Responsive REading
With this phrase “divine inspiration” in mind as a definition for “Spirit,” the Golden Text of this week’s Lesson could read something like, “I promise to give you my [inspiration] and my message….” (Isaiah 59:21)
Please note that when I substitute in words in either Bible passages or citations in Science and Health, I am not critiquing or correcting the original texts. The reason I find it useful to try out some word substitutions is to keep the meanings of terms active and crisp in thought. Sometimes I find myself reading the same paragraph two or three times without really connecting with it, or reading without feeling inspired. And when this happens, I find that I can shake things up and pay much better attention as I read, if I actively substitute in crisp definitions for terms. If this reading technique is not helpful for you, or if you have a better way of connecting with the Lesson, feel free to disregard the substitutions I’m trying out here in this Met.
The Responsive Reading finds various ways to describe Spirit, or divine inspiration, as the source for all goodness. For example, “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.” ((1st Corinthians 12:4) In other words, divine inspiration is the source of all of our various talents.
SECTION 1: Spirit is all, Good
The first section praises Spirit, the divine inspiration that fills, inspires, and blesses all space. Divine inspiration, or Spirit, is good. (citation B1, Psalms 143:10). Spirit is a synonym for God, and that which comes from Spirit is Spirit-ual. As the creation and idea of Spirit, we come from Spirit, so we are spiritual. Applying this idea to the definition I set up earlier, we are divinely inspired. (cit. S1, SH 331: 11)
This first section establishes the fact that all is of Spirit, and there is no existence outside of Spirit.
SECTION 2: We come from Spirit, we Are Spirit-ual
After the first section establishes the all-ness of Spirit, the second section explains that we are the creation and breath of Spirit. “[Divine inspiration] hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.” (cit. B5, Job 33:4) “As many are led by [divine inspiration], they are the [creation of Spirit].” (cit. B6, Romans 8: 14-16)
To the degree that we accept Spirit as our only source of being, the more we experience inspiration and purpose and joy. We are inspired by Spirit, which is only beautiful, pure, and true. Spirit and Spirit’s expression (us) cannot be separated. Spirit inspires us and we are the inspiration of Spirit. We are Spirit’s breath. (cit. S4, 470:6-9) As Mary Baker Eddy explains, we are the “offspring of Spirit.” (cit. S5, 63:5) We are “tributary” to Spirit—we come from Spirit, and that is our only source. (cit. S7, 481:2)
Here is citation 6 as it appears in the New Century Version (and with a few creative word substitutions): “The true children of God are those who let God’s Spirit [divine inspiration] lead them. The Spirit [divine inspiration] we received does not make us slaves again to fear; it makes us children of God. With that [divine inspiration] we cry out, “Father.” And the Spirit himself joins with our spirits to say we are God’s children. . . . We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love [divine inspiration]. They are the people he called, because that was [the divinely inspired] plan.” (cit. B6, Rom 14-16, 28 NCV)
SECTION 3: Spirit is the only real attraction
The first section established the all-ness of Spirit, the second section explains that our only source is Spirit, and the third section reveals that there is no other power than Spirit. There is no other might, nor power than Spirit. (B8, Zechariah 4:6)
The third section reminds us to be alert that when we accept new ideas to make sure that they are from Spirit—that they are divinely inspired. As we read in 1st John, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. (cit. B12, John 4:1) This citation reminds me that I should always make sure that it is not human will guiding me, but instead that I am always tuned in to divine will. There’ve been so many times in which I thought I had a great idea, got super excited about it, and then disappointed when it didn’t work out. Eventually, I remember that if I had paused, and first asked, “Is this a divinely inspired idea?” that I could have saved myself a lot of trouble. Pausing to ask if our ideas are divinely inspired takes a great deal of humility, and yet this alertness helps keep us in line with Spirit, and also gives the ideas their perfect momentum. As we tune in to Spirit as our only source, we are “filled with [divine inspiration].” (cit. B13, Eph. 5: 18)
Mary Baker Eddy explains that, in truth, there is “but one real attraction, that of Spirit [divine inspiration].” She compares this attraction to a compass needle pointing North, thus giving us as sure sense of direction. Because we are, in truth, attracted only to Spirit, we have a clear sense of direction. (cit. S8, 102:9) We must remain alert to limited-thinking and materiality that would try, like a false magnet, to pull our compass needle astray. In truth, there is only one real attraction, but we also must be alert to the seeming magnetic pull of cloudy thinking that offers a limited sense of our true being. (cit. S9, 536:11; cit. S10 73:10)
One way to stay alert is to affirm each day: I am only attracted to Spirit (divine inspiration), and nothing else can attract my attention.
In truth, there is not a war for our attention. Light always beats shadows, and Spirit always wins. Spirit is the only real attraction.
In a limited view of us, we are torn between right and wrong attraction, and often think that the wrong things are more attractive. But, as we come to understand ourselves in a more and more unlimited way, we come to find that our “spiritual individuality is never wrong.” (cit. S12, 491: 9-10) In other words, as we understand our true nature better and better, we see that all along we are only divinely inspired. To a limited sense, it may seem as though we have false attractions, but, through prayer—acknowledging the supremacy of Spirit—we wipe away this limited sense and gain a more and more unlimited sense of our true and pure being. (cit. S12, 491: 7-10, 12)
SECTION 4: the one ego, Spirit, Inspires prophecy
The first section established the all-ness of Spirit, the second section explained that our only source is Spirit, and the third section revealed that there is no other power than Spirit. And now, the fourth section gives examples of the vision and gifts that come with an active acknowledgement of Spirit as our only source of existence.
In the fourth section we find the story of Joseph interpreting Pharaoh’s dream and thereby enabling Pharaoh to protect his realm during famine. (cit. B16, Genesis 41:1-57) Joseph did not interpret Pharaoh’s dream through psychological analysis. His inspiration was from Spirit.
As Mary Baker Eddy explains, “The ancient prophets [like Joseph] gained their foresight from a spiritual, incorporeal standpoint, not by foreshadowing evil and mistaking fact for fiction, — predicting the future from a groundwork of corporeality and human belief.” (cit. S13, 84:3) She explains that we too can have this gift of prophecy. “When sufficiently advanced in Science to be in harmony with the truth of being,” she writes, we “become seers and prophets involuntarily, controlled not by demons, spirits, or demigods, but by the one Spirit. It is the prerogative of the ever-present, divine Mind, and of thought which is in rapport with this Mind, to know the past, the present, and the future.” (cit. S13, 84:3)
Elsewhere in Science and Health, she defines “prophet” as “a spiritual seer; disappearance of material sense before the conscious facts of spiritual Truth.” (SH 593: 4-5) As I read this definition, I mentally make some word substitutions to help me understand it. To me, this definition reads something like…. A spirit-ual seer; disappearance of limited sense before the conscious facts of unlimited Truth that is of Spirit. Joseph was a prophet because he could see beyond the limited sense of things—the convoluted dream—and see with unlimited sense (Spirit’s view).
The citations in this section explain why prophecy is possible. It is not that a limited mortal is catching a vision of some far-away Deity, but rather that Spirit is inspiring us constantly and we are of Spirit, so at-one with all inspiration. There is only one Ego—Spirit—not a bunch of little egos running around trying to find a godlike ego somewhere. As Mary Baker Eddy writes, “Spirit is the Ego which never dreams, but understands all things; which never errs, and is ever conscious; which never believes, but knows; which is never born and never dies.” (cit. S16, 250:7-11) We are the expression of this Ego. If the divine Ego is the central sun, then we are the rays, and our only individuality comes from being the ray of the sun. Our individuality comes from our inseparable connection to the divine Ego, Spirit, the central sun.
I’ve found this idea of Ego helpful whenever it seems as though someone has a strong opinion. Whether someone seems critical, rude, gossipy, insecure, boastful or charming—these are all costumes that tempt us to believe that there is an ego other than the divine Ego. It’s not personal. We can heal all sorts of so-called ego issues with the simple truth that Spirit is the all-knowing Ego, the source of all divine inspiration. “Spirit is all-knowing; this precludes the need of [mere] believing.” (cit. S15, 487: 15-16)
SECTION 5: THe Ever-present HEALing power of Spirit (divine inspiration)
The first section established the all-ness of Spirit, the second section explained that our only source is Spirit, the third section revealed that there is no other power than Spirit, and the fourth section gave examples of the prophecy that comes with an active acknowledgement of Spirit as our source. The fifth section shows how Christ Jesus demonstrated that the healing power of Spirit (divine inspiration) is not dependent on physical location or time.
In this section is the story of Christ Jesus healing the servant of the Centurion. (cit. B20, Matthew 8:5-10; 13) The servant is healed from a distance. In other words, Christ Jesus doesn’t travel to the servant’s physical location. To me, this healing demonstrates the power of Spirit (divine inspiration) as ever-present. In other words, the power of Spirit is not dependent on a person or a location. The power of Spirit is ever-present.
Mary Baker Eddy explains, “If Spirit pervades all space, it needs no material method for the transmission of messages.” (cit. S22, 78:17-19) The Centurion appears to have had faith in this divine fact also, trusting that the healing power of Spirit (divine inspiration) does not depend on physical proximity or time—it heals instantaneously. (cit. B20, Matthew 8:5-10; 13)
Mary Baker Eddy explains this further, “Science can heal the sick, who are absent from their healers, as well as those present, since space is no obstacle to Mind. Immortal Mind heals what eye hath not seen; but the spiritual capacity to apprehend thought and to heal by the Truth-power, is won only as man is found, not in self-righteousness, but reflecting the divine nature.” (cit. S23, 179: 5)
Healing does not depend on physical location because the truth of Spirit (divine inspiration) is ever-present here and now, without delay. As Mary Baker Eddy writes, “If Spirit or the power of divine Love bear witness to the truth, this is the ultimatum, the scientific way, and the healing is instantaneous.” (cit. S25, 411:10)
SECTION 6: Born again in Spirit
The first section established the all-ness of Spirit, the second section explained that our only source is Spirit, the third section revealed that there is no other power than Spirit, the fourth section gave examples of the prophecy that comes with an active acknowledgement of Spirit as our source, and the fifth section showed that the healing power of Spirit (divine inspiration) is not dependent on physical location or time. In the sixth section, we find the story of Jesus teaching Nicodemus about being “born again” of the Spirit (divine inspiration) [or born “anothen” or “from above” in Greek, as in GEM#11].
During Nicodemus’s late-night talk with Christ Jesus, the Way-shower explained that we must all be born again. As I understand it, being born again means rejecting the notion of a physical starting point, and accepting that we have always existed in Spirit, in Mind, in Truth. There never was a first moment of Life because there is always a moment before that, and a moment before that, and a moment before that… [but ultimately, all from our divine source, “above.”]
We are the idea of Mind; the inspiration of Spirit; the expression of Life. From a limited point of view, it appears as if we had a distinct starting point (physical birth) and we tend to limit ourselves by measuring the earth’s trips around the sun since that moment. But when we look beyond the limited view, and examine the premise of a mortal birth through the “microscope of Spirit” (the “microscope of [divine inspiration]” SH 264:21), we can see that there isn’t a physical-science explanation to the so-called starting point of consciousness, our ability to love, our innate being and individuality. In truth, we always have been. We have no starting point. There never was a moment in which all-knowing Mind did not know us or divine Spirit wasn’t inspiring us, or Life was not live-ing us. We are co-existent and eternal with Spirit. And we are born again whenever we gain a more expanded sense of true being, true existence.
Our continual born-again moments are also our comfort and protection against death—the belief of an endpoint. As we are continually born again with a more and more expanded sense of beginningless existence, it becomes clearer and clearer that there is also no end to existence. Mind’s ideas do not exhaust themselves—Mind never tires. Spirit’s expressions never run out of inspiration. Life never stops live-ing. As Mary Baker Eddy explains, “The understanding that Life is God, Spirit, lengthens our days by strengthening our trust in the deathless reality of Life, its almightiness and immortality.” (cit. S29, 487:27)
SECTION 7: Our Spirit-driven purpose
I have summarized the points of this Met at the start of each section. And now we’re at our final section. As I understand it, the first section established the all-ness of Spirit, the second section explained that our only source is Spirit, the third section revealed that there is no other power than Spirit, the fourth section gave examples of the prophecy that comes with an active acknowledgement of Spirit as our source, the fifth section showed that the healing power of Spirit (divine inspiration) is not dependent on physical location or time, and the sixth section showed that we can all be “born again” through divine inspiration. The final and seventh section tells us to live purposefully, with a clear sense of Spirit.
Our purpose is to be an expression of Spirit. Spirit is infinite. And each of us is an individualized expression of Spirit. We each have purpose and worth. Individually and collectively we are the expression of Spirit. No one is excluded from this. We each have a divine purpose and we are each crucial to the full and complete expression of Spirit.
Isaiah offers each of us a statement of purpose: “The Lord God has put his Spirit in me, because the Lord has appointed me to tell the good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort those whose hearts are broken, to tell the captives they are free, and to tell the prisoners they are released…. He has sent me to comfort all those who are sad.” (cit. B23, Isaiah 61:1, 3, NCV) What a good starting point Isaiah offers us for loving our neighbor with Spirit-filled purpose!
Mary Baker Eddy also writes about finding our purpose. She explains, “Spirit, God, gathers unformed thoughts into their proper channels, and unfolds these thoughts, even as Spirit opens the petals of a holy purpose in order that the purpose may appear.” (cit. S30, 506:18) Here she is comparing the “unfolding of thoughts” to flower petals opening. We could apply this idea in many different ways….to a newborn, to someone who hasn’t yet discovered their full life purpose, to some who seems to be off-track…we each seem to have moments in which we need to discover a more meaningful purpose.
As we tune in to Spirit’s inspiration, we can each discover more and more spirit-ual purpose. We can discover the prophet and healer that is in each one of us. Spirit inspires each of us with the gifts of prophecy and healing. It is as if this final section of the Bible Lesson is saying “Consider yourself a spirit-ual prophet. Consider yourself a spirit-ual healer. And live accordingly.”
Mary Baker Eddy does not dilly-dally when it comes to expecting each one of us to be prophets and healers. She gives us life instructions straight from the Bible, “Hear these imperative commands: ‘Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect!’ ‘Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature!’ ‘Heal the sick!’” (cit. S32, 37:27, GEM#12)
Amen!
CLICK below for more APPLICATION IDEAS for this Lesson from CedarS-team:
- Spirit’s GEMs to inspire you this week will be sent soon with insights and application ideas from Cobbey Crisler and others.
- Hear two, custom Ken Cooper poems related to this week’s Bible Lesson. They are called “The Breath of Spirit” (CS Sentinel shared view) and “Bear Witness As God’s Child” (about Jesus’ & Nicodemus’ conversation).
Enjoy OPPORTUNITIES for SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT with fresh insights WEEKLY!
CedarS Sunday Hymn Sings are being enriched every Sunday through February by representatives of Longyear Museum giving a feature presentation each week on a different one of the seven hymns written by Mary Baker Eddy. We will focus on one hymn per week, in order of their composition, through February 28. Each Sunday, right before the final hymn of the Hymn Sing, a representative from Longyear Museum will share six minutes of historical insights on what was happening in Mary Baker Eddy’s life and the Christian Science movement at the time she wrote that hymn/prayer as a poem.
We look forward to deepening our appreciation and understanding of these hymns, not only in how they reflected Mary Baker Eddy’s experience, but also in how they continue to bring healing to our world today. Invite family, church and other friends and even neighbors to join us by Zoom every week at 7pm Central Time for CedarS Sunday Hymn Sings. (A precious prelude precedes each sing at 6:45pm CT.) We encourage singing along in Zoom’s gallery view to share the joy of seeing dear ones in virtual family-church reunions that bless all generations.
To protect privacy and copyrights, these “brief, but spectacular” sessions are NOT recorded. So, calibrate your time-zone clocks, mark your calendars, and remind friends, so that no one misses any of these inspiring, weekly reminders of our precious, spiritual oneness with each other and with our ever-loving, Father-Mother God who owns and embraces us all!
Lovingly singing prayers and praise to God for 30 minutes each Sunday is such a warm, “Welcome Home” tradition to bless the start of each week with joyous, peaceful GRACE. (Our 2021 theme.) We have loved singing-in this grace with longtime as well as first-time friends—not only from ALL 50 of the United States, but also from 21 other countries! So far, our “Hymn Sing family” has clicked or dialed-in from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, England, Germany, Ghana, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, New Zealand, Pakistan, Paraguay, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Scotland, Spain, South Africa, Switzerland, as well as from each of the United States! In the universal language of divine Love, the “still, small voice”’ of scientific thought reaches over continent and ocean to the globe’s remotest bound.” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 559:8–10)
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- And, UNRESTRICTED & OTHER GIFTS WILL BE MATCHED UP TO $100,000! We send our special thanks in advance for clicking here to electronically share your tax-deductible support that is especially needed during this reduced-income period to help “keep our oil lamps burning.”
- Here’s our camp office address to MAIL gifts to:
The CedarS Camps Office, 410 Sovereign Court #8, Ballwin, MO 63011 - or call CedarS team at 636-394-6162 (Gay, Kim or Jennifer) to share a credit card gift.
- CedarS is a not-for-profit, 501-C-3 organization with a Federal ID # 44-0663883.
