What does it mean to be truly free? America’s Declaration of Independence says that “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” are man’s unalienable rights. Why is it then that challenges in our lives, like finding the right job or a good place to live, seem to threaten these rights and leave us feeling frustrated or unhappy? How can we claim our right to liberty?
In the March 1892 edition of the Christian Science Journal (available in our Reading Room), E.W. Kepner wrote “To human consciousness, liberty is the highest estate of man.” This is something that Jesus demonstrated over and over again in his life. In the gospel of Mark we read about one occasion where Jesus sent his disciples ahead of him across the sea of Tiberius. As they rowed, they met an unrelenting headwind, and despite their best efforts they could not make any progress. Jesus was still on land and could see that his friends were in distress. He went to them, walking on the waves much faster than the disciples could row. When he reached them and entered the ship, the wind stopped immediately, and the ship then easily passed the rest of the way to other side.
How did Jesus do this? He started with prayer. Mark chapter 6, verse 46 says “and when he had sent them away he departed into a mountain to pray.” Jesus’ prayer was bringing his thought, his entire being, into alignment with God, Spirit. II Corinthians 3:17 says “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” By bringing his thought into the presence of this Spirit, Jesus demonstrated to human consciousness the highest estate of man, walking on the waves and calming the storm.
This example is one of many of how prayer in Divine Science can allow us to face any challenge and gain dominion. You can hear from people today about how prayer is bringing liberty to their lives at our testimony meeting this Wednesday, April 4th. Join us at 7:30pm for readings from the Bible and the Christian Science textbook on the topic of “Liberty.” Then we’ll hear testimonies from folks who are working this out in their own lives. Can’t come in person? Join us on the phone:
Dial-in Number: 1-310-372-7549
Access Code: 607611
