"DOING A GREAT WORK"

[Original article in German]

One of the most beautiful and instructive narratives in the Old Testament is found in the book of Nehemiah. Here we are told that Nehemiah, who was permitted by the Persian king to return to Jerusalem, inspired the Jews to help him rebuild the city walls, which were in ruins. Of particular interest in this narrative is the wisdom and persistence exercised by Nehemiah in withstanding the enticements and threats of his enemies. He said on one occasion (Neh. 6:3), "I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?"

It was his enemies' intention not only to delay Nehemiah's work, but to thwart it altogether. Accustomed to listen for God's voice and to obey it implicitly, Nehemiah saw through the evil intentions of his enemies and nullified these intentions by continuing with greater watchfulness the work he had begun and thus completing it successfully.

Students: Get
JSH-Online for
$5/mo
  • Every recent & archive issue

  • Podcasts & article audio

  • Mary Baker Eddy bios & audio

Subscribe

Spiritually understood, a wall represents thoughts of protection and safety for all within its confines. The Christian Scientist is ever conscious of the fact that like Nehemiah, he is working on a wall which is to protect his consciousness. He lays one stone upon another, one thought of truth upon another, in this spiritual wall. His spiritual alertness prevents erroneous beliefs from occupying his thinking, from disturbing or interrupting the important work of building up an improved consciousness of God, good. He knows that such spiritual awareness is essential to his individual manifestation of perfect health, satisfying human relationships, and successful endeavor, indeed to the harmony of his whole being. He strives to let no adverse circumstance or influence deter him from acknowledging as real and substantial that which is in accord with God, Spirit, good.

Through Christian Science, revealed to us by Mary Baker Eddy, it is possible for every individual to lift himself above the debris of erroneous mortal beliefs. In the measure that he spiritualizes his thinking, he realizes the value, the beauty, the imperishability of divine ideas and the worthlessness of base, perishable beliefs, presented to the world by material sense. Thus he becomes increasingly conscious of the fact that he, like Nehemiah, is "doing a great work."

Mrs. Eddy states in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures"(p. 450), "The Christian Scientist has enlisted to lessen evil, disease, and death; and he will overcome them by understanding their nothingness and the allness of God, or good."

Regardless of how serious a sickness may seem to be or how hopeless a situation may appear to be, the Scientist denies and rejects the discouraging suggestions of evil. He listens only to the voice of Truth. He accepts only spiritual reality, in which all is good, perfect, harmonious, and peaceful.

What a joyous and satisfying activity is building with spiritual insight and alertness! What a sense of satisfaction it gives the Christian Scientist! As he builds, he puts himself at the forefront with those who, like him, are striving to establish in human consciousness the impregnable bulwark of truth against error.

A number of years ago, at a time when Christian Science was prohibited in her country, the writer was imprisoned and a little later threatened with internment in a concentration camp. She did not allow herself to become disturbed, however. She used the time in prison to ponder the truths of Christian Science and to apply them to her situation. She was not discouraged by the impending danger of internment in the concentration camp. She knew that prisons and concentration camps were delusive pictures not to be found in God's creation; hence they could not be any part of her real experience.

In the quiet of her cell, she knew herself to be one with God, because man is God's reflection. She was conscious of God's omnipotence, goodness, and ever-presence, also of His power to save and deliver from every adversity.

These thoughts surrounded the writer like a protecting wall and at the same time guarded her from all fear. She also resisted the temptation to hate those who had brought her into that situation. She was not surprised when one day she was released without being given a reason and without having to enter a concentration camp.

Like Nehemiah of old, our great Master, Christ Jesus, never let apparent difficulties or human threats prevent him from carrying out his healing, saving mission. He knew that he had a great work to do, that he must always be about his Father's business, and that the Father had given him power and authority to overcome all difficulties.

Mrs. Eddy also was untiringly active in making available and comprehensible to mankind through her inspired writings and teachings the revelation imparted to her of the allness of God, good, and the nothingness of error. As a follower of Christ Jesus, she proved through healing and teaching that freedom from inharmony of every sort is a present possibility. In addition, our Leader strove continually for the promotion and firmer establishment of the movement she had founded. Always in this work she let herself be guided by God. No human arguments could frighten her or prevent her from obeying what she saw was a divine command. She filled her days and often her nights with faithful, consecrated, and prayerful work for the greatest Cause ever presented to mankind. She was imbued with the consciousness that she was "doing a great work."

On page 2 of her Message to The Mother Church for 1900 Mrs. Eddy states the working method of a Christian Scientist thus: "The song of Christian Science is, 'Work—work—work—watch and pray.'" This method of activity enables the Christian Scientist to understand the joyous words of the prophet Isaiah (26:1), "We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks."

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Article
OUR FATHER'S BUSINESS
April 27, 1957
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit