Christian Science Perspective audio edition

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Who among us hasn’t at one time or another wondered about – or wrestled with – those age-old questions, “Why do I exist?” and “What is my purpose?” I certainly have. But the more I study Christian Science, the more I realize that we all have the same lifelong purpose – to glorify God.

“Glorify God” sounds great! But what does that mean? And how do we do it?

Forms of the word “glory” appear over four hundred times in Scripture, so they must be important. Merriam-webster.com defines “glorify” this way: “To make glorious by bestowing honor, praise, or admiration” and “to elevate to celestial glory.”

The Bible’s book of Isaiah highlights this significance, conveying God’s charge that His people glorify Him: “This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise” (43:21). And the first chapter of Genesis makes plain that God made man in His own image. So we’re His very expression. We show forth God’s glory when we apply spiritual qualities such as attentiveness, dedication, thoroughness, joy, and love to everyday activities – even the most mundane.

In the movie “Chariots of Fire,” Eric Liddell, the Scottish Olympic runner, ran with joy and dominion, precision and perfection, care and compassion – definitely glorifying God. He later became a Christian missionary to China, demonstrating these God-qualities as well through helping others.

To explain our natural expression of God, Mary Baker Eddy notes in the Christian Science textbook, “Like a ray of light which comes from the sun, man, the outcome of God, reflects God” (“Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” p. 250). I love that simple analogy. Think about it – just as a ray of light is the sun’s shining, we are God’s shining. A ray of light can’t not shine, can it! And just as it is impossible to have a ray of light without the sun, so the sun can’t be without its rays. To me, this means we are as vital to God as He is to us. God and His expression, man, are inseparable, one.

God provides His children with divine direction from the get-go. God is responsible for His children, and His children are responsive to Him. Our purpose in glorifying Him – our responsiveness to Him – is as God-impelled and empowered as is His responsibility to us.

As I began to understand this, I gained a sincere consistency in my early exploration of Christian Science. I was a mother of two toddlers, and it seemed that my sole purpose was to change hats all day long – from handling household tasks, to playing with my kiddies on the floor, to being a professional at a business session, to meeting my husband for a romantic dinner, to sitting quietly in a church pew.

I remember speaking directly to God while repeatedly cleaning up after our eighteen-month-old daughter: “God, I’m expressing You here – in thoughtfulness, cleanliness, caring, dedication, intelligence – as surely as when I’m in a business meeting or church pew.” I was the same me, no matter where I was or what I was doing. Recognizing that I was actively expressing Him elevated every task for me. The more important God became to me and the more I strove daily to fulfill His calling, the more ways to do so kept opening up.

I was growing spiritually, though at times it seemed I’d never feel entirely Christlike – never feel that I was living up to the example explicitly set for us by Christ Jesus. But that sense, I realized, was seeing my purpose all wrong. Then I came upon these words: “As one grows into the manhood or womanhood of Christianity, one finds so much lacking, and so very much requisite to become wholly Christlike, that one saith: The Principle of Christianity is infinite: it is indeed God; and this infinite Principle hath infinite claims on man, and these claims are divine, not human; and man’s ability to meet them is from God; for, being His likeness and image, man must reflect the full dominion of Spirit – even its supremacy over sin, sickness, and death” (Mary Baker Eddy, “Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896,” p. 16).

Right then, I accepted God’s claims as my daily guide. I took an intensive two-week course in Christian Science known as Primary class instruction. I returned assured of my purpose.

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Since that time, God has continued to show me new channels for glorifying (expressing) Him. I didn’t think them up. He made them plain, and His love shines through each one. He’ll do the same for you, too. Just let Him show you.

Adapted from an article published in the Aug. 10, 2026, issue of the Christian Science Sentinel.

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