With the all too frequent shootings of children, adults, police officers, and more going on in my country and around the world, many fears grow in the mind of the population that need to be addressed and dissolved to pave the way for healing of the dark evil behind these atrocious acts against humanity. And one of these leading fears is of random evil.
People start to worry that another shooting could happen anytime, anyplace, maybe even in their community.
One spiritual truth I find helpful to dissolve my own fears of random evil is to understand God’s predictable good.
With God, there are no uncertainties. God is knowable good. God governs the activities of His universe through divine law that enforces the activity of good in all situations and circumstances.
God is organized in all His affairs, in the sense that He knows what He is doing and is clear about the outcome He expects and knows how to cause those outcomes with absolute certainty. There is nothing random, chancy, iffy, or unpredictable about what God is doing.
Evil claims that it can act with a mind of its own, and act undercover in hidden unpredictable ways. But this is a lie that can be overturned with spiritual truth.
In truth, there is only one Mind, the divine Mind. And the divine Mind knows all, sees all, comprehends all and is aware of all.
To be in the one Mind of God is to be aware of whatever one needs to know to stay safe.
Jesus Christ demonstrated that evil people could not hide their evil thoughts from him. He read the human mind. He knew exactly what people were thinking before they said a word. He could tell the location of people without seeing them physically, such as the time when Nathanael was under the fig tree (John 1:48). Jesus was always in command of his surroundings and was never taken by surprise. He reflected the all-knowing Mind that was in control of its own experience.
In learning from Jesus, I pray to understand the supremacy and dominion of the one Mind wherever I go and in whatever I do. I pray for all humanity to know and experience the protection of the one Mind from all claims of evil. I pray that people will know whatever they need to know to walk in the pathway of safety, to detect and uncover evil when it appears to be lurking, and to demonstrate more of the predictable good of God that everyone has a right to experience.
This is a huge topic, and I will not pretend to address the whole of it in this tiny blog, but this is a start.
The lie of random evil needs to be checked and stopped. And practicing the law of God’s predictable good can do it.
Mary Baker Eddy wrote,
“This material world is even now becoming the arena for conflicting forces. On one side there will be discord and dismay; on the other side there will be Science and peace…During this final conflict, wicked minds will endeavor to find means by which to accomplish more evil; but those who discern Christian Science will hold crime in check” Science and Health, p. 96.
Thank you for this important insight.
I thank you dear Evan for this very helpful statement about the subtle way error communicates to us when we are not being watchful.
Mrs Eddy in Science and Health on page 92 gives us sound advise where she writes “Stand porter at the door of thought.”
I used to feel this was impossible for me to do, but continuous regular day by day study of Lesson Sermon is helping me to realize our Father Mother God is here to help us be watchful and vigilant.
Thank you, Bid, for your comforting words.
Thank you Evan for providing such clear examples of how to keep our thought clear from the belief of random evil.
Yesterday on my drive to work I listened to an interview on NPR. The person being interviewed (I missed the first part, so I don’t know who was being interviewed) at one point talked about the “dark history of humans” and pointed out until only recently the countries of Europe had been constantly at war for centuries and predicted the recent attempt to unify the people of Europe (via the European Union) will fail due to this long history of constant conflict. These comments tempted me to believe that mankind will never be able to live harmoniously due to a lurking evil that is inherent in human consciousness that always causes one human to try to dominate another human. But then I rejected that belief based on what I know to be true about “man” as defined in Christian Science. And then today your blog has provided even additional food for thought, so thanks again!
It’s so important to stay alert and keep thought focused on what is true. It helps me to remember that God is the creator and therefore His creation must reflect Him.
The U.S. presidential campaign this time around is resulting in a barrage of negativity and if we aren’t alert and constantly keeping our thought focused on what is true, the negativity being publicized can cause some people to act out in negative ways. But I believe that keeping my own consciousness focused on what is good and true (God’s idea) helps to improve the global (collective) consciousness.
Thank you, Evan, and all. I am stirred to pray for all, to affirm each and all CAN and DO hear the Shepherd’s voice and reject the voice of strangers (ungodly thoughts or fears).
I’ve been looking for a post like this forever (and a day)
Thank you Evan and thank you Brian. Our thoughts held to what is true and right is so important.
We may never know the ripple effect of right thinking but can be confident that every good thought has a good effect and how important it is to include everyone and every country in our prayerful thoughts.
Hi Nancy, Thank you for your wonderful reminder not to “write one another off” because of opposing views. I love imagery of open hands instead of clenched fists. Thank you for always extending an open hand of love to me. Much love to you too!
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Wonderful thoughts, I also agree with Sarah that it’s great that you included the entire world. Everyone needs to be freed from this erroneous, aggressive belief. We have much to do, don’t we?
Thank you for your thoughts on this, Evan. I saw a small demonstration of the truth of what you write, a few months ago.
A dear friend had passed away unexpectedly and my husband and I had traveled to a distant city for the service. I was struggling a bit with the picture: youngish prayerful woman, gone suddenly. It seemed the definition of “random.”
Then our car began to cut out on the highway, stopping and starting with no correspondence to the gas pedal. We pulled over. The car had just been repaired at a garage we have used successfully for 20 years. We’d paid for a new expensive part, and the car (four years old) received a thorough checkup. So…human footsteps followed, but random bad performance far from home. It mirrored how I felt about the passing of my friend.
Although it seemed almost ridiculous, I thought about God’s constancy, and predictable spiritual good. I physically turned myself to look at the sunshine (and not at the dashboard warning lights) and asked myself, “what’s God doing and being right now?” What you wrote, above, was pretty much where I went: “There is nothing random, chancy, iffy, or unpredictable about what God is doing.”
Can’t say I was 100% with this, but I have found that, as a dear practitioner said to me once when I despaired over my paltry ability to know the Truth, “God’s grace bridges the gap between our present understanding and spiritual reality.”
We pulled back onto the highway. The car shuddered once, then re-set itself and handled well for the remainder of the trip. At home, the garage checked it out, found all operating well, but cleaned out the engine anyway, for free.
Have spent the time since then thinking about the steadiness and steadfastness of what’s real, even when everything is shouting that something else is at work. Thanks again for your post.
It’s mega-important to reject the “notion of chance” (S & H p424/8). (This is what you did Bonnie.)
This means NOT participating in any lottery or contest. This is based on the belief of “notion of chance” of good. Good is not random, it is our heavenly heritage. Man is not governed by chance but by Principle.
Sometimes we hear “I was lucky” or “as luck would have it”. Man is not subject to luck, good or bad. Reject this with the thought that “God governs all that is real.”
Evan noted shootings in America. But there have been knifings and horrific murder with a truck in other parts of the world as well. Mortal mind will find new ways to accomplish its agenda, often with the goal of frightening and causing “discord and dismay.” (quoted sentence from Mary Baker Eddy says it much better than I do). Dismay would paralyze us. And evil will not only continue but become more aggressive. How do Christians and God loving people all over the world “hold crime in check”? Thanks,Evan for this statement:”In learning from Jesus, I pray to understand the supremacy and dominion of the one Mind wherever I go and in whatever I do. I pray for all humanity to know and experience the protection of the one Mind from all claims of evil.” Thanks Evan, this is strong and gives us a valuable starting point to help the world with our prayers.
Well appreciated as one of my previous careers was 21 years with MPDC and my son is in his 22nd year with the Wilmington, DE Police Department.
Wow! This blog has hit it’s mark right when we need it. I have pondered on how one goes about praying for the world when so much evil seems to be playing havoc. It is clear that I was being mesmerized into thinking I don’t know how or what good would one tiny prayer do. Thanks again Evan and I’m thankful for all the commenters input also.
Thank you, Evan and commenters for these wonderful shares. What a beautiful world it would be if everyone always did random acts of Kindness. I believe, in our trying to help heal the troubles of the world, with replacing evil with Good, we are indeed, helping to reject these suggestions with the flood tides of Love. I loved reading how your experience with your car worked out, Bonnie. What a great testimony to your (our) protection and comfort from God’s care.
Given the state of our current political environment, I hope you will continue to pursue this topic. Recently, I’ve been challenged by the belief of mortal mind that man creates and governs his universe and is thusly subject to the whims of a naturally corrupt politically system. I know that there is no need left unattended in divine mind so that the needs of all people to be heard, realized and fulfilled so that the need to disrupt or harm the innocent vanishes from the human experience. I just love that statement in our lesson this week by Mary Baker Eddy, “Happiness is spiritual, born of Truth and Love. It is unselfish; therefore it cannot exist alone, but requires all mankind to share it.”
Thank you so much Evan for this topic. I have been thinking about this regarding the raging fires burning in our area and threatening so many animals, people and homes. That the firefighters reflect the knowledge from the One Mind how to approach this fire and make progress putting it out. That the airplane and helicopter pilots know where and how to drop the water on the flames that will prove helpful. That the misery loves company evil intent that started the fire cannot in absolute truth destroy the natural beauty and qualities of good from God manifest. There have been so many wonderful heartwarming stories of working together, helping one another, caring and giving to one another that indicate Divine Love. Prayers accepted by all. Thanks again~
I admit I feel more fearful lately. All the law and order I have appreciated is under attack. Anyone who supports
Free speech is attacked. We are being racially divided. I have wanted to believe that God is on the field and He is in control. But there are so many activities where evil has overturned good. I hope goodness and God are the
Winners. What happens when good people stand by and do nothing?
Dear Evan,
I have been following your blog for a couple of years. I love so much of what you write. In this column you say that “He (God) expects and knows how to cause those outcomes You seem to be saying that God causes all the good outcomes but doesn’t cause the bad outcomes. Well recently in France alone some buy ran over a lot of people with a truck killing 84 and injuring over 100 also two people invaded a mass and cut the Priest’s throat.
When Mrs. Eddy walked this earth there were 1 million people, over 100 years later we have over 7 million. To paraphrase Iggie, things don’t see to be getting any better down here.
I love Christian Science and wonder!
Jim
Hi Jim,
Great questions! It’s helpful to understand that the world of terrorism and violence is not of God’s creating. It’s all carnal mind in action. But God’s help is always available for mankind to lean upon and bring divine solutions to human problems. So, God always does have an answer, and the role of prayer is to avail ourselves of that answer and let it bless our lives and those around us.
God is the source of all good. That’s what God is. When good happens, God is behind it somewhere. When evil happens, it’s a call to find God’s presence more there and overturn that evil. Step by step…
And interestingly, I’ve read studies proving the world is actually a better place all the time. There are fewer wars than ever today. It’s been documented. There is more peace in this world than ever. And it keeps growing. Unfortunately, the horrible things that happen dominate the press and it seems like the world is getting worse, but it’s not. Things on the larger scale are actually getting better. But we sure have a lot of work to do to keep the progress going.
A loan modification program is considered to be the best solution to people who have been facing bankruptcy. Homes facing foreclosure can be saved – you just have to know where to go, and determine the people that you should talk to.
Louis,Your argument is good, but the question remains that if indeed a church did vote “to have elders and gave elders the governing authority”, be that church SBC, Acts 29, Independent Bible, etc., would it be governed by the most biblical ecclesiology?Even with the inherent problems we have all experienced, is it not best to always strive to be as biblical in all things as possible?cb
Christian Scientists, hold crime in check! I used to read this (paraphrased) and think: How can mere humans accomplish this huge task?
Now, while still needing to pray a lot about my role in this effort, I am more frequently yielding to the fact that it is not we-mere-humans that are responsible for healing the crime-problem, but divine Truth is. And yes, it does seem at times that Truth may not be up to the task. But this is a mis-concept. “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Christ Jesus couldn’t have been more clear: our role is to acknowledge (know) the truth, and it is TRUTH’s job to free us from the belief that there is anything but His allness and goodness. Mrs. Eddy tells us that the human mind is not a factor in the healing work. (See Preface to Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.) We are not responsible to heal this crime problem. But we are responsible for KNOWING THE TRUTH!
I am privileged to teach in the Christian Science Sunday School. Recently, I took to Class two sheets of clear plastic paper. On one I wrote all the words that would fit, describing the Kingdom if Heaven, the truth of God’s perfect, all-good creation….Harmony, safety, health, Joy, love, peace…lots of wonderful truths!
Then, on the other sheet, I wrote out some of evil’s claims: hatred, discord, disease, etc, etc., filling the sheet, adding confused scribbles, tangles, etc.
Then I put the “evil sheet” over the “truth sheet.” The students and I then looked THROUGH error’s claims, (top sheet, ie, material sense) to the Facts, underneath. We could easily see the illusion of evil. Seeing and knowing, acKNOWledging, the truths underneath brought us peace and assurance.
Evil is a bald-faced lie, an illusion!
“Spiritual teaching must always be by symbols.” ~Mary Baker Eddy
ONward, Christian Soldiers!!
Just Perfect for what we need right now, Evan! Big Thanks! I just quoted that quote from Science and Health, p. 96, l.12……..to a friend yesterday and just emailed this Blog to him. Thank you for steering all of us in the right way to think and pray about this concept of “random evil” – this is just what Mrs. Eddy was talking about and she gave the World a Healing Answer thru Christian Science and in Science and Health! We are NOT Helpless, the World is NOT Hopeless – God, Divine Love, is on the Field and All Good is Right Here – let’s Open Our Eyes and See! God is Everywhere! Much Love!
P.S. Check out the Daily Lift on JSH-Online.com where the title of Nate Frederick’s Lift is: “Even Now”. I thought it was going to be about Mrs. Eddy’s quote of p. 96 of Science and Health……”This material world is even now becoming the arena for conflicting forces…..”, but instead he lifts the words, “even now” from the story in the Bible of Jesus raising his friend, Lazarus from the grave, when one of the sisters, (Mary or Martha) tells Jesus that he could have saved Lazarus from death if he had gotten there sooner, but that……she believed that “even now” God would still hear him and raise Lazarus from the dead. So very cool to realize that “even now” our world is being lifted into Harmony and Peace!
Yes there are some gems in this list of searchesand i wonder why there are some naughty one’sin the mix? Still it makes for a wonderful poem Andro xxx
Healing hands
where strength and tenderness
combine
Loving mind
Faith’s bloom in life’s
springtime
Knowing heart
aware of its holy desire
Eyes that see
‘Cause the souls looking
thru
A shining smile
reflecting Gods love
so true
Evan, thank you very much for bringing this subject up. May your voice be heard everywhere.
Humanities only way out is to
go within…..
After 40 years of metaphysical study
I have recently taken up the study of
Christian Science and can say I have
found this joyous study is an answer to all my prayers and yearnings. Mary Baker Eddy’s monumental work, Science and Health, has illuminated the path blazed by our master Christ Jesus at a time when all religion seems to have dimmed their light by years, if not centuries, of erroneous interpretation.
I am not one to ever criticize how another approaches God, I am like a moth whose natural instinct is to fly towards the brightest light…
Thanks Evan, and all who have commented. I love the thought from this week’s Bible lesson that “Truth is ALWAYS the victor.” Anything contrary to this is illusion, the false testimony of the media and the material senses. We can declare that God is on the field, though invisible to the human eye. We can, with confidence. trust ALL to God for ourselves and everyone. Praying with the Daily Prayer that Mary Baker Eddy has given us, especially the ending “May Thy word enrich the affections of all mankind” is our contribution to the peace and safety of all mankind.
So Grateful for You, Max drake!
Evan thank you for always being so on top of events and knowing what we need. Another keeper for sure.
Welcome to the fold Max!
Welcome to SpiritView, Max! And to this glorious Movement Spiritward!
To where we already ARE, in fact, in truth!
God is overturning, overturning, overturning…all the “ills that seem to be…”
as a loved-hymn says.
:<))
thank you.
Thanks for this!
I’ve worked long and hard on letting go of fear, specifically claims of PTSD which argue that God wasn’t present in the past, and could be absent in the future too. But the fact is, God is always present! We are always safe in Love’s arms. Despite appearances, God is always present, is always protecting us, and is always in control. God protects so-called victims and so-called perpetrators.
Thank you, Evan and all, for the very relevant, poignant, wonderful comments! I am super grateful for this blog, which is such a healing forum…a demonstration of the understanding of the healing power of divine Love!
Thank you so much Evan,
Makana, I think that the idea here is not that we have to get married to be fully human, but that masculinity and femininity (married or not) work in tandem. One can’t exist without the other.I see this dynamic at play all the time, even in my single life. And the more I allow myself to relax and accept my God-given femininity (which looks different for everyone) the more “fully human” I become. Husband or not.