by Peter Jackson
In an unexpected rush of confidence, I recently offered to help a friend develop his website. This was somewhat optimistic of me as it turned out I’d need to use code in at least two internet languages which I knew nothing about. Despite this, I remained undeterred. I sought out some solid reference books from the library and set myself to the task of learning some new skills.
As I practiced different commands and saw what they did, I got quite excited. I frequently said things like, “Look! If I point the mouse at this text here, it all changes! Wow….” I was thinking how cool these scripts were, and how powerful they must be to enable all these great effects.
Then one evening while I was out walking, a new thought came to me. It said, “Yes, Peter, your code is lovely, but believe it or not, there’s something which is even more powerful. It’s called Christian Science! While CSS-code can draw bright yellow boxes with inset borders, CS can heal cancer.”
That kind of stopped me in my tracks. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not about to knock the fine art of computer programming. But I had to confess that the sheer enthusiasm which I’d had over the last few days for studying internet code was far higher than the enthusiasm I can ever remember having for studying Christian Science.
But how could this be, when the capability of Christian Science was infinitely more impressive than any computer language?
Well, thinking about Christian Science into this new context was quite revealing. I began to make comparisons between my study methods for computer coding and Christian Science. For instance, with the coding I have a series of textbooks, with titles like “HTML: A Complete Reference” and “MySQL for Dummies.” While for Christian Science I have Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy.
With the coding, I would read an explanation for a particular command and make sure I understood it reasonably well before continuing. In most cases this would mean trying out the code on the computer by writing small test programs to demonstrate that they worked. How then, in comparison, have I worked with Science and Health? I’ve managed to read the book through now more than once, but how far do I really seek to understand each statement and actively demonstrate the ideas as I go along?
So I’m now trying to use this new approach to help me study Christian Science more effectively. I’m actively seeking more good results as I work, and I’m really appreciating just how extraordinary Christian Science is.
Who would have thought I could discover so much from a computer?
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This is really great Peter. I’ve sometimes thought about how much energy I’ve put into things that really aren’t that important and why I don’t spend enough energy on the things that are. I like that you’ve gotten your priorities straight…maybe I’ll do better now too.
Hi Peter,
We’ve just read the blog. It reads very well and it contains an inspired message. Much appreciated. Thanks.
Peter, Very perceptive thoughts. My late Teacher said to us before he passed, start using S&H as a “How to” guide more and not just get stuck on the lesson sermon, etc. He said to read the book at least once a month and as I have started to do this very thing, the text comes alive!!! Each time I read something it takes on new meaning. That’s divine metaphysics and the computer learning et al is a “reflection” of this. It has to be brought out in the human experience or we won’t have proof God exists. Anyway, I really liked your stream of consciousness-Very helpful to my practice. Tick.
I like the point your blog makes Peter - thanks!
Cheers for all your kind comments!
good blog, thanks!