Christ is here, now and always
God’s healing message of love and truth is always at hand – wherever we may be.
I had just said goodbye to a friend who had come over for dinner and to hear stories of my recent Bible study tour in Israel and Jordan. One of the photos I’d shown her was of a sunset over the Sea of Galilee.
Then I looked out at the little lake in front of my apartment, over which the sun had just recently set, and the thought came, “It’s the same sun. Jesus looked at the exact same sun.” And in a flash of a moment, time and space meant nothing – 2,000 years and 6,000 miles just disappeared from thought. And then I realized that while Jesus wasn’t actually there with me, the Christ – divine Truth – is always present.
Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer of Christian Science, explains in “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” “... Christ is not a name so much as the divine title of Jesus. Christ expresses God’s spiritual, eternal nature. The name is synonymous with Messiah, and alludes to the spirituality which is taught, illustrated, and demonstrated in the life of which Christ Jesus was the embodiment” (p. 333). Christ is always with us, communicating God’s ever-active healing love and light.
It was a powerful moment, to feel that timeless presence, and it reminded me of a healing I’d had on the trip. About 10 days in, I became very ill. As I’ve always found helpful in these kinds of situations, I turned wholeheartedly to God. I prayed to know that as God’s child I was safe and cared for, and that God’s love was right there with me.
A friend on the trip prayed with me, helped with some practical needs, and even sang hymns to me with another friend, which was so helpful. But that night I woke up in the middle of the night, still struggling. I reached out to a Christian Science practitioner back home for Christian Science treatment. She reminded me of everyone’s inherent perfection as the reflection of God – not mortal and subject to illness but entirely spiritual, created in God’s image and likeness, as the Bible states.
Jesus healed by seeing and knowing what God sees and knows – the flawless, spiritual man and woman of His creating. And Science and Health tells us that such healing is not limited to a particular time or place: “It is not well to imagine that Jesus demonstrated the divine power to heal only for a select number or for a limited period of time, since to all mankind and in every hour, divine Love supplies all good” (p. 494).
It occurred to me that I’d been thinking I had somehow been separated from the healing power and presence of Christ. But as the Apostle Paul wrote, nothing can separate us from the love of Christ (see Romans 8:35-39).
I turned on the recording of my friends singing earlier. I listened to the hymns’ messages of God’s goodness, which is expressed in all of His children, and felt the love of those dear friends, which to me illustrated the heavenly love that Christ communicates to us. I felt the presence of Christ right there with me and fell asleep peacefully.
When I awoke in the morning, not only was I feeling much better, I was able to join the group for a 3.5-mile walking tour of the ancient city of Petra, Jordan. And let me tell you, walking out of the Al Siq Canyon into the space that opens up in front of the treasury was nothing short of magnificent. For years I’d wanted to visit this site, and it was even more special to be there with this kind and supportive group. In addition, I realized in that moment that I was completely healed!
As a much-beloved hymn states,
Till time and space and fear are naught
My quest shall never cease,
Your presence ever goes with me
And You do give me peace.
(Violet Hay, alt., “Christian Science Hymnal: Hymns 430-603,” No. 501, © CSBD)
We can all feel the great love and peace of God and the healing power of the Christ – no matter where we are.