Defeating Error’s Resistance

On a recent Saturday morning, we did a remote broadcast for our Bible Study. At around 9:50 we started the live stream so we could be sure everything was working and ready to go. Then, at 9:58, just as we were going to start, the internet went down and shut off the live stream. I tried to fix it, but after a moment there came a quick inspiration letting me know that error was not resisting the broadcast, but rather the Bible Study itself! This Bible Study was going to bless others, both now and for a long time on the website and YouTube. The Bible Study was the important thing, and all I needed to do was call the teleconference and put my phone on speaker so we could get started. If I were to delay any longer in doing that, then I would have been being used by error as a part of the resistance.

As I called in, the internet came back on, but the signal was still very weak. But it was just enough to start the recording and occasionally mute a caller if necessary. As soon as the Bible Study was finished, the internet came back at full strength and has been fine since. This was not a coincidence!

On page 170 of the Divinity Course and General Collectanea, known as The Blue Book, Mary Baker Eddy gives the Rules for overcoming animal magnetism: (for anyone new, animal magnetism is the belief in a power apart from God):

1. See what it is trying to do.
2. Know that it cannot do it.
3. See that it is not done.

This whole experience has taught me to make sure I get step one right. If I had stuck with the thought that error was working to stop the live stream specifically, all my efforts to handle it in steps two and three would have been misdirected.

I am very grateful for all I am learning about Christian Science in this church, and from my practitioner. Every bit of this teaching has practical and immediate benefits for my life and my work, including the ability to remain calm during what seems to be an emergency. It is wonderful to be a part of this mission for the world.