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Demonstrating completeness

Praying from the standpoint of our ever-intact oneness with God reveals to us God’s provision of what we need, as a woman discovered after her husband passed on. 

  • By Kathryn Jones Dunton

Christian Science Perspective audio edition
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A common myth is that a person needs a spouse to feel complete. Although I found my life partner and enjoyed years of blissful marriage, I have learned that human relationships are not what complete us. Instead, it’s our rock-solid relationship with God that makes us whole.

In “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” Mary Baker Eddy writes, “When we realize that Life is Spirit, never in nor of matter, this understanding will expand into self-completeness, finding all in God, good, and needing no other consciousness” (p. 264). For me, a key word in this statement is “needing.” As we cultivate an awareness of our relationship to God, we begin to grasp that God fulfills every human need. Our relationships with others become more harmonious because we’re not looking to others to supply what God gives us.

In Truth, we are not mortals striving to become perfect. We are God’s perfect spiritual ideas right here, right now. We reflect all of the qualities of God, so we can never lack anything. God is always with each of us, filling us with joy, love, and wisdom.

We can demonstrate this spiritual reality by tuning in to God’s voice within us, learning to recognize and follow His unerring direction. As we quiet our clamoring thought, we hear the “still, small voice” of God, which gives us all the ideas we could ever need. And when we implement these ideas, we overcome the challenges we face.

God loves each of us so much and is constantly telling us that we are His beloved children. Mrs. Eddy writes, “True prayer is not asking God for love; it is learning to love, and to include all mankind in one affection” (“No and Yes,” p. 39). We don’t have to hunt for love. We are already cherished by God. From this basis, we can share love freely with the world.

I see Jesus’ resurrection as his greatest demonstration of completeness. In the garden of Gethsemane, before his crucifixion, he asked his disciples to pray with him, but instead they slept. Yet Jesus was alone with God, trusting God to guide and save, as he then proved in his resurrection, following the crucifixion.

As we humbly turn to God, we see that God is, likewise, providing all we need. Jesus counseled, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). As we actively strive to understand our oneness with God, we will experience our completeness and find goodness expressed in forms that are right for each stage of our experience.

I had the opportunity to demonstrate my completeness in a modest way after my husband had passed on and a massive flood destroyed my home. As I was renovating, I could no longer depend on my husband to help me deal with the contractors or the move back into my home. However, as each challenge arose, I turned to God for direction, and step by step each obstacle was overcome.

After this experience, I know for sure that I am complete because I witnessed how God has been and always will be with me every moment, supplying me with everything I need. And that’s true for everyone!

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