Three weeks ago, I boarded a plane in Salt Lake City to fly to Philadelphia. I had a pressing call to make, so while others boarded, I dialed a number, turned my head into the window next to me and talked as quiet as I could to connect with a patient who needed some reassuring words of love and comfort. It was a quick short conversation.
When I clicked the disconnect button on my cell phone and turned to my left to get adjusted in my seat and put my stuff away, a man who sat down next to me piped up with great enthusiasm and exclamation, “You must be a Christian Scientist!”
I looked a bit aghast, and surprised, because I couldn’t figure out how he knew I was a Christian Scientist. I had no literature out. Even if he had heard part of my conversation, I did not use the words Christian Science or any type of Christian Science jargon. My conversation had consisted of very simple, basic spiritual truths, expressed in easy to understand everyday type of ways. Any type of spiritually minded individual could have said the same, I thought. But maybe not…I began to wonder.
How did he know? My mental wheels were excitedly turning.
He continued, “I’m not a Christian Scientist, but my wife is.” And we went on to explain more of his family history and association with Christian Science over the years. We had some wonderful conversation over the next 4 hours of our trip together.
He never did tell me how he knew, but I surmised that it was the tone, character and nature of what I said that tipped him off. He obviously had “heard it before,” in his home, perhaps between his wife and daughter who both avidly practiced Christian Science.
I was happy about it, honestly! It meant to me that I was letting my light shine in a way that people who knew what Christian Science was recognized it in me, and with very little evidence to confirm their conclusion. That was good! I wanted to be known for who I was, I decided.
I thought more about this later and pondered the times in my life when mortal mind wanted me to keep my light hidden, to not let people know I was a Christian Scientist for fear of being criticized or judged harshly.
It felt SO GOOD to be recognized as a Christian Scientist, in this instance, that it occurred to me how evil it is to let mortal mind discourage us or thwart us from letting our light fully shine for all to see.
A student of Christian Science should be thrilled to have their neighbor recognize the spiritual light within them. It should be glowing and radiating brightly and brilliantly for all to see. If not, the student has let the malice of the world control their thought and darken their days. This is not good or healthy for the practitioner of Science or for the world.
It feels good to be a Christian Scientist. Existence is so much healthier and happier, brighter and positive when one lives true to their conscience, follows their spiritual light and lets it shine brightly for all to see.
So, if you’re a student, don’t let the malicious element of the world lock you into a dungeon of worry and fear about other people knowing who you are and what you’re all about. That’s death. Get out there and let your light shine! Want people to know you are a Christian Scientist. And let them know by the high spiritual example you set, the words of comfort you share, and the love you express.
Love this, Evan…Thanks!
I love this, Evan. As I read recently, something else your wrote, and I am paraphrasing, Christian Science is the PRACTICE of Christianity and/or PRACTICAL Christianity.
There is nothing to hide about that. The world is CRAVING the MANIFESTATION of Jesus’s way of living.
Only Christian Scientists know how to really PRACTICE Christianity. Not that they are the only Christians in belief, but we know how to PRACTICE, bring to REAL LIFE, the teachings and love of Jesus, the Christ.
Elaine in Virginia
Wonderful, Evan! I struggle at times with this…fearing human opinion regarding being a Christian Scientist. This was very helpful. And you’re so right: Letting your light shine so you ARE identified for what you are. Love this. Can’t agree w/Elaine in VA however. Christian Scientists are not the ONLY ones who know how to practice Christianity. I have friends/family of other denominations who are truly practicing the agape love of Jesus, his compassionate healing, and being VERY successful. We don’t have an exclusive on the practice of Christianity, any more than one person can own the Christ. Would you weigh in here, Evan? I LOVE what Elaine wrote about the world craving the manifestation of Jesus’ way of living. Yes!
On a flight several years ago my conversation with the fellow sitting next to me wound up settling into an exposition of some aspect of his spiritual belief system. I can’t recall what he said, but it was biblically based, and I heard him out. Finally, though, I took my que to tell him something of my take on the Christ mission.
Two hours later, as we landed, the conversation finally was ended. He’d listened intently to me and asked many questions as obviously what I was saying was having an effect on him. I truly could see the “understanding” of Truths dawning in him for what I supposed was the first time. I was so grateful when, as we were standing up to exit, he most excitedly accepted from me the small paperback copy of Science and Health I had brought along, and offered to him.
I had the sense at that moment that he was going to be one of those seekers who would devour our textbook in a very short time… and that his life would be forever better as a result of our “chance?” meeting. As Elaine has said above, “The world is craving the manifestation of Jesus’s way of living.”
Thank you Evan, and thank you first Anonymous. I, too, shy away from “branding” when it comes to spirituality, Truth, the Christ. I am not shy about letting people know that I was raised in Christian Science, or in offering Love and speaking Truth at every opportunity. When we shine, those around us also shine. “Love is reflected in Love.” At a lecture by Christine Driessen, CSB, she asked the attendees, how many of them were Christian Science practitioners and to raise their hands. Looking around, she then said, “every one of you should have raised your hands!” In other words, it’s the daily practice and demonstration; the commitment to Truth and Divine Love that make us practitioners in the world, and the commitment to this study, practice and demonstration is what makes us “Christian Scientists” rather than biomedical scientists, not as a religious brand (this is my take on it) but as a scientist of Truth, of Christ Truth. When we speak or read the words, “through Christian Science” even when we say “Christian Science Church” it should not be interpreted by human mind to be simply a religion brand name, but understood to be, “through the science of Christianity/Christ’s teachings” and, “the church committed to the in depth study of Christ Truth or Christ’s teachings”, an educational institution in the form of a church where we rest in the teachings of Divine Mind.
Per the above query,
When one understands that Christian Science is not a religious denomination, but universal laws of Truth and Love, it’s easy to see these laws at work in everyone. I agree, that no one has a monopoly or “corner” on the practice of Christ’s teachings. The teachings of Christian Science have helped me see these laws of God at work better all around, and I see many neighbors practicing them successfully to differing degrees even though they have never identified themselves as Christian Scientists. We’re all children of God!
Reminds me of a thought-provoking, hypothetical question I’ve pondered a lot–if you were arrested for being a Christian Scientist, would there be enough evidence to convict you?
Years ago I was taking a course on the Montesorri Method of Education. There were people from all over the country and one girl from California was a bit “far out”, as people said then. Nice but not main stream Memphis where the class was being held. One day out of the blue she said to me “You’re a Christian Scientist, aren’t you.” I was amazed, told her she was correct, and asked her how in the world she knew. She said she had been raised in CS and just recognized it in me. We talked on and off over the next few days, I invited her to go church with me, but she turned me down, but I always gave her a big, knowing smile whenever our paths crossed. How did she know????? I certainly had done nothing to identify that part of myself in that situation – or at least I THOUGHT I hadn’t – but something told her.
Susan Summerlin, O’Fallon, MO
My mother had a similar experience when fairly new to Christian Science. When a salesman came to her home, out of the blue she asked him if he was a Christian Scientist. He was. She said he had just “shone”. Several years later, a lady out of the blue asked my mother if she is a Christian Scientist. She said it was the way my mother carried herself. The lady was not a Christian Scientist herself but knew people who were. Just thought I’d share.