This question echoed throughout the recent annual meeting of my denomination, the Church of Christ, Scientist (Christian Science). Though members from around the world gathered in Boston, the meeting’s theme, “The discovery today – where hearts catch fire,” resonated with me as I considered, with renewed freshness, the role of my local house of worship within the community.
There’s something transformative about joining with others in worship, not for personal gain, but in the spirit of humble service with a sincere desire to bless. It’s here worship comes alive and serves its spiritual purpose. I’ve witnessed how our faith communities help us feel the touch of the Divine that lifts off mental darkness through the flame of spiritual inspiration rooted in love for God and love for one another. This highest ideal of praise by expressing unselfed love helps us rise above the temptation to either deify or demonize another. Instead, we have the opportunity to see a little more of the value and goodness in everyone as children of God, and at the same time, celebrate God’s care and blessings for all.
The founder of the Christian Science church, Mary Baker Eddy, certainly encouraged this active expression of worship. “I make strong demands on love,” she wrote, “call for active witnesses to prove it, and noble sacrifices and grand achievements as its results.” A friend of mine shared during the church meeting, “Love takes our thought away from ourselves – narrow, limited thinking – and out into the world, to ‘the sustaining infinite’ where ‘today is big with blessings.’” This leads to profound changes in our lives and view of the world.
Like Daniel in the well-loved Bible story, we too can experience that practical prayer — so much more than mere wishful thinking —, which helps us see that even in the midst of the frightening lions of the world, the God of all the earth protects and delivers us. Here is the promise that instills within us more of this flame of inspiration and hope. It’s this power of coming together in worship of an all-loving Supreme Being that can dissolve fear and hate and remind us we aren’t alone.
No, it’s not always easy. And too many times we may find ourselves disappointed in our own actions or those of others. But doesn’t the Bible unveil the restorative promise of God’s love for humanity? Even when we falter, or perhaps especially so, the living presence of God, found in moments of quiet communion or songs of praise, is the spark that helps us recognize the comforting, redeeming presence of divine grace in our lives.
I was deeply touched by the example in the meeting of a young man who found this redeeming power at a time when he most needed it – in jail. While incarcerated, he enjoyed the visits with the Christian Science chaplain volunteers and what he learned about God as a result. After his release, he found purpose and fellowship in his community’s local Christian Science church. Not only did the church’s members embrace this individual, but he embraced them with a singular devotion to nurture their congregation and surrounding community. As he expressed it, “I felt so compelled to come into this church, and I met a God who is present in my life right now.”
That’s what church is all about! In fact, this young man said it himself, “What could be better than coming to church and trying to heal a community?”
Indeed, what could be better?
Anne Cooling
Christian Science Committee on Publication for Southern California
Member of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Laguna Niguel
