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What’s influencing me?

In a world where many influences seek to hold sway in our lives, turning to God for inspiration and guidance can help us stay on a productive path.

  • By Madeline Cassidy

Christian Science Perspective audio edition
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We hear a lot these days about “influencers” – those who publicly promote brands, establishments, etc., on social media. Many are trendsetters and have thousands of followers who watch them avidly.

This got me thinking about what is influencing me. I’ve been deeply pondering something that Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer of Christian Science, wrote in “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures”: “In a world of sin and sensuality hastening to a greater development of power,” she wrote, “it is wise earnestly to consider whether it is the human mind or the divine Mind which is influencing one” (pp. 82-83).

This has led me to consider the life of Christ Jesus. He honored no other intelligence but the one divine Mind, a scripturally based name for God. Jesus’ teachings so beautifully convey that the one Mind that guided – influenced – him also influences and guides each one of us.

This means that every moment we can consider whether we’re getting pulled into limiting, materialistic thinking or allowing our thought to tend toward God, who created us as His spiritual offspring. We have an innate receptivity to the goodness and wisdom that the divine Mind expresses in us.

Before beginning his unparalleled and glorious ministry, Jesus himself had to face down the temptation to be influenced by unhelpful thoughts that would have kept him from his mission to help and heal humanity. He defended his right to follow God’s leadings. And talk about having followers – he had a countless number, from his day up until now.

We each have the opportunity to determine what is influencing us. And whether we’re browsing social media, making decisions, or making our way through school or work, it’s easier to be led in the right direction when we know that we are the spiritual creation of God, whose goodness and guidance are here to influence us all.

Adapted from the June 27, 2022, Christian Science Daily Lift podcast.

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Dear Reader,

About a year ago, I happened upon this statement about the Monitor in the Harvard Business Review – under the charming heading of “do things that don’t interest you”:

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