Shining like Stars
by Heather Hayward
from the Christian Science Sentinel June 11, 2012
When a member of my family took part in and actually won a national ballet competition at the tender age of eight, her reaction was simply: "I didn't do it. God did!" She had glimpsed a wonderful spiritual truth that echoes the words of Christ Jesus, "I can of mine own self do nothing" (John 5:30).
The youngster's pure expression of divine qualities was evidenced in her performance that day. Loveliness shone from her as she proved her understanding of the principles of discipline, grace, and precision. Her moment of triumph was very special at that point in her experience.
This related in serveral ways to the thousands of athletes who'll be competing in the Summer Olympics. The joy of participation and the honour of representing their countries will be a rich reward for the concentrated preparation, perseverance, and sacrifice each one has made. However, they'll need to be wise about the cult of personality that dominates the media at such times. Great attention goes to the winners, while the rest scarcely get a mention and quickly become no more than "also-rans".
Obviously, in sporting competition we can't all be winners, though in other aspects of life the word winner can be more broadly interpreted. But that's where the phrase "personal best" comes into play. It offers a yardstick for those who may compete brilliantly - certainly at pivotal moments - yet may not reach the rostrum. There's nothing to stop any of us from achieving or improving our "personal best".
Jesus' parable of the wise and foolish virgins who were to attend a wedding banquet points to the importance of planning and readiness in tackling events of all kinds (see Matthew 25:1-13). And the ballet, mentioned earlier, provides just one example of the role of concentrated preparation, including fitness training. In school examinations, too, going over the work is key, and brings its own rewards.
I recall a time when I first began to take singing lessons and found myself participating in a local comeptition. I was a complete amateur in an open adult class in which everyone was expected to perform the same song. It was my first public solo performance, and I was very apprehensive. My husband and I prayed together, as we'd done for our three daughters, who'd participated successfully in the dance, drama, and music sections of the same festival. And we were strengthened by the knowledge that prayer in Christian Science "enhances (one's) endurance and mental powers" and gives one "an ability to exceed (one's) ordinary capacity" (Science and Health, p.128).
I felt calm, and was aware of the comforting presence of divine Love. By the time I opened by mouth to sing in front of a large audience in a lofty hall, my fear had melted and, surprisingly, I enjoyed the whole experience. I'd made a massive leap forward in confidence and in understanding more of God's ever-presence and power.
I was grateful that in the adjudication I received a good mark that compared favourably with the marks obtained by more experienced singers.
From then on, my confidence and ability to speak and perform in public developed by leaps and bounds, and I never looked back. I can't help thinking of a hymn by Irving Tomlinson in which he wrote, "As stars in their courses never contend,/ ...So God's loving children in concord remain" (Science and Health Hymnal, No. 236). For me, that confirms that no one can take from any "star" his or her ability to shine and succeed in any challenge, be it a job application, the purchase of a home, or a pbulic performance in any sphere.
In effect, there really is no competition in any endeavour except with our belief in our own ability. Understanding God's unfailing presence and power, we can shine like stars wherever we place on the finishing line. The joy of participation transcends any fierce determination to be first past the post. Our love for the activity of expressing God's goodness is its own reward. Nothing can stop us from doing our best for Him - at all times!
Heather Hayward is a Christian Science prectitioner and teacher. She teaches in London, and divides her time between London and Hampshire, England.
by Heather Hayward
from the Christian Science Sentinel June 11, 2012
When a member of my family took part in and actually won a national ballet competition at the tender age of eight, her reaction was simply: "I didn't do it. God did!" She had glimpsed a wonderful spiritual truth that echoes the words of Christ Jesus, "I can of mine own self do nothing" (John 5:30).
The youngster's pure expression of divine qualities was evidenced in her performance that day. Loveliness shone from her as she proved her understanding of the principles of discipline, grace, and precision. Her moment of triumph was very special at that point in her experience.
This related in serveral ways to the thousands of athletes who'll be competing in the Summer Olympics. The joy of participation and the honour of representing their countries will be a rich reward for the concentrated preparation, perseverance, and sacrifice each one has made. However, they'll need to be wise about the cult of personality that dominates the media at such times. Great attention goes to the winners, while the rest scarcely get a mention and quickly become no more than "also-rans".
Obviously, in sporting competition we can't all be winners, though in other aspects of life the word winner can be more broadly interpreted. But that's where the phrase "personal best" comes into play. It offers a yardstick for those who may compete brilliantly - certainly at pivotal moments - yet may not reach the rostrum. There's nothing to stop any of us from achieving or improving our "personal best".
Jesus' parable of the wise and foolish virgins who were to attend a wedding banquet points to the importance of planning and readiness in tackling events of all kinds (see Matthew 25:1-13). And the ballet, mentioned earlier, provides just one example of the role of concentrated preparation, including fitness training. In school examinations, too, going over the work is key, and brings its own rewards.
I recall a time when I first began to take singing lessons and found myself participating in a local comeptition. I was a complete amateur in an open adult class in which everyone was expected to perform the same song. It was my first public solo performance, and I was very apprehensive. My husband and I prayed together, as we'd done for our three daughters, who'd participated successfully in the dance, drama, and music sections of the same festival. And we were strengthened by the knowledge that prayer in Christian Science "enhances (one's) endurance and mental powers" and gives one "an ability to exceed (one's) ordinary capacity" (Science and Health, p.128).
I felt calm, and was aware of the comforting presence of divine Love. By the time I opened by mouth to sing in front of a large audience in a lofty hall, my fear had melted and, surprisingly, I enjoyed the whole experience. I'd made a massive leap forward in confidence and in understanding more of God's ever-presence and power.
I was grateful that in the adjudication I received a good mark that compared favourably with the marks obtained by more experienced singers.
From then on, my confidence and ability to speak and perform in public developed by leaps and bounds, and I never looked back. I can't help thinking of a hymn by Irving Tomlinson in which he wrote, "As stars in their courses never contend,/ ...So God's loving children in concord remain" (Science and Health Hymnal, No. 236). For me, that confirms that no one can take from any "star" his or her ability to shine and succeed in any challenge, be it a job application, the purchase of a home, or a pbulic performance in any sphere.
In effect, there really is no competition in any endeavour except with our belief in our own ability. Understanding God's unfailing presence and power, we can shine like stars wherever we place on the finishing line. The joy of participation transcends any fierce determination to be first past the post. Our love for the activity of expressing God's goodness is its own reward. Nothing can stop us from doing our best for Him - at all times!
Heather Hayward is a Christian Science prectitioner and teacher. She teaches in London, and divides her time between London and Hampshire, England.
