Beyond Chaos


“Chaos” seems a byword of news headlines and commentary these days.  Everything from politics to the stock market have been dubbed unpredictable and disorderly.  Hurricanes and fires, for some, add a sense of the world’s undoing, and even doom.  And all of this can easily spillover into our personal lives with days of disarray and worry.  How do we get beyond the chaos?  Is there more to just enduring it, riding out?

The book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, poses a bold counter - that there is a spiritual force or power at work that continues to lift us beyond chaos:
“’Let there be light,’ is the perpetual demand of Truth and Love, changing chaos into order and discord into the music of the spheres”
The author, Mary Baker Eddy, goes on to talk of the “invisible good” and “the secret beauty and bounty…known to God”.  As the Bible prophet Elisha prayed for his follower Elisha: “…open his eyes, that he may see” (II Kings 6:17).  This doesn’t mean, however, to be naive or detached, but it does open us up to other possibilities. It would lead us to recognize and accentuate what is positive in our midst.

I’ve certainly had moments in my past work in the criminal justice field that left me feeling overwhelmed and depressed. It seemed chaos ruled the day.  But embracing these counter spiritual truths from Science and Health always opened me to a way forward—as well as leading me to feel energized and confident.  It is similarly encouraging to see people coming together and finding deeper purpose amidst the disruptive tragedies and political frustrations of our times.  There is good going on dictated by a higher good, we can call God.

You can read Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures online, purchase it from major booksellers, or read, borrow, or purchase it from the Christian Science Reading Room in Evergreen, Colorado.

The Source of Blessings

The news reminds us daily of bad things going on in the world.  Good is also going on daily, but that good seems to be reported less frequently and with smaller headlines.  As we celebrate Thanksgiving in America this week and give gratitude for the good we have experienced this past year, take a moment to consider where these blessings came from.  People often ask why bad things happen, but why does good happen?  Is it luck or coincidence?  Is it a result of hard work or family heritage?  Can you count on good continuing to happen?

Mary Baker Eddy, a Christian leader, wrote in her book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures:
"Spirit blesses man, but man cannot 'tell whence it cometh'.  By it the sick are healed, the sorrowing are comforted, and the sinning are reformed.  These are the effects of one universal God, the invisible good dwelling in eternal Science."
Eddy's assertion - that good is an effect of "one universal God" (Spirit) that blesses man - points to where we can look for answers to these questions about good.  You can learn more about this God, the nature of good, and how to bring God's blessings into your life from Eddy's book.  Read Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures online or purchase it from major booksellers.  You can also read, borrow, or purchase the book at the Christian Science Reading Room at 4602 Plettner Lane in Evergreen, Colorado.

Finding Common Ground With Those That Support the Other Party



      I recently met a man that was intelligent, principled, compassionate, and moral, but I was surprised to learn that he was an ardent supporter of a politician whom I thought lacked all of these qualities.  “How could he?” I wondered.  But, to be honest, he probably feels the same way about people who share my position.  Was he blind to what was right... or was I?
 
Although I don’t know which one of us is right (I’m pretty sure I am  ), I found some helpful guidance about how to think about people with opposite views in a statement by Mary Baker Eddy.  

In her book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, she writes:
“Evil is sometimes a man’s highest conception of right, until his grasp on good grows stronger.”
Perhaps “evil” is too strong a word in this instance, but the point is that I realized this man and everyone that I differ with, are supporting their highest concept of right.  I am too!  This awareness helps me to respect those that hold different opinions even if I am vehemently opposed to their position.  My prayer going forward is that we all strengthen our grasp on good.  I’m sure we can all agree on that position!

You can learn more about how to pray that we all strengthen our grasp on good in Eddy’s book.  Read Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures online or purchase it from major booksellers.  You can also read, borrow, or purchase this book at the Christian Science Reading Room in Evergreen, Colorado located at 4602 Plettner Lane.