Image credit:© The First Church of Christ, Scientist
RIFNOTE
We all desire a good and peaceful life, devoid of drama and anguish. But often, our perspective – how we see and relate to the world, to others, and even think about God – determines our experience. A negative view, depending solely on limited material knowledge, often results in sorrow, lack, emptiness, failure, and depression. But knowing the truth about the Creator — the enduring grace, limitless love, eternal spirit, and irrefutable power of God for good, and yielding to the Creator’s guidance is a healing perspective. It has transformed the lives of spiritual thinkers and prophets in all times. As a Christian striving to follow the teachings and examples of Christ Jesus, I have found that this shift in thought to understanding more of the Divine beautifully impacts my experience.
During a recent meeting of my church (The First Church of Christ Scientist, more universally known as The Christian Science Church), which was held in person and online, and which included members from all over the world, including Nigeria, we came together for a spiritual feast — joining in fellowship to celebrate the presence and power of God’s love in our lives. During the meeting, a speaker shared some ideas from Jesus Christ’s loved parable of the prodigal son, noting that the younger son’s initial demand and limited perspective eventually failed. But when “he came to himself,” the toxic and myopic demand, “give me” was replaced with the humble prayer “make me.”
A side view of the Christian Science Mother Church in Boston, Massachusetts — Image credit:© The First Church of Christ, Scientist
The selfish initial demand, “give me”, expresses the insatiable desire for material things, which are temporal, limited, and, in the end, empty. Inferior motives premised on this limited perspective are the cause of many of the world’s challenges, such as wars, economic hardship, communal feuds, family strife, and personal problems. But when the light of truth dawns, it enables one to see beyond limitations. This change in perspective is the repentance the Bible demands. This “truth seeking” changes lives. As Jesus said, “…ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.“ (John 8 32). Now, what propels the desire to know the truth? The founder of my church, Mary Baker Eddy, put it succinctly in her bestselling book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures: “Progress is born of experience. It is the ripening of mortal man, through which the mortal is dropped for the immortal.” And elsewhere where she states that “…progress is the law of God, whose law demands of us only what we can certainly fulfil” (p.233). This view challenges us to seek more of the infinite and limitless good is impelled by God’s love for each of us!
The prodigal’s suffering and hunger as a severely underpaid pig farm worker awakened him to the abundance of his father’s house. Thus began his journey homeward. On his way home, he replaced all his negative attitudes such as pride, false entitlement, false appetites, greed, impatience, etc. with exalting qualities such as meekness, humility, gentleness, forbearance, and gratitude. His perspective had changed. And because this is how his father always saw his son, he welcomed him with open arms. Then came the son’s humble request, “Make me…” Echoing him, we can pray to God, in effect, “Make me to see myself and others the way You see us. Make me to know You better. Make me appreciate the unlimited good You have placed at my disposal as your child.” This humble prayer, “Father make me” is transformational and helps bring healing to our lives, a reminder that we are all children of God.
