“Armour made of love, rather than metal wings”

I must say that being class taught is one of the most significant experiences I have had. It has stood me in good stead in the weeks and months since.

This year I have been doing the mandatory national youth service in my country. After being abroad for the past eight years, there has been a period of adjustment, and I have been grateful for what I am learning in Christian Science. The Youth Service is a good and noble concept that is designed primarily to promote unity among the diverse cultures and religions in my country. The process, however, has been quite a challenge for me.

Registration required that I fly to the Capital city. A few months before, there had been a plane crash. Someone I knew had been on the flight. As the day of my flight approached, I began feeling fearful and even panic. I knew I had to face these lying suggestions and regain a sense of peace and calm.

I prayed to really understand that error has no history, as Christian Science teaches. It is an illusion. I remember clearly that days before the flight I just knew that God’s arms were lovingly guiding and guarding all His children. That man is truly clad in the panoply of Love. A complete suit or armour made of love, rather than metal wings, was very comforting.

As I accepted Truth, error was obliterated. The healing was complete. Fear was destroyed. I had good flights to and fro.

A week after I arrived, however, the newspapers reported how the airline that I had flown with had only one aircraft. One of the engines failed mid-air, but they were grateful for the calm and composure of the passengers and professionalism of the pilot in averting a mishap. I was grateful for this. I feel my prayers contributed to the good outcome.

The time came to attend the three-week orientation camp. I had heard so many stories of how tough it was, not because we were expected to wake up at 4:00 a.m. or because there were many drills, exercises, and endurance treks under the hot sun, but because of the deplorable state of the amenities provided. The reports had underestimated the facts. I wondered how I could possibly cope for three whole weeks.

Before I left for orientation, my mom, who is a practitioner, showed me this sentence from Miscellany: “Remember, thou canst be brought into no condition, be it ever so severe, where Love has not been before thee and where its tender lesson is not awaiting thee” (149:31-2).

Each day of the three weeks were full of testimonies, proving the truth of these words. At the end, I had made new friends, but more importantly, I had learnt lessons of just how wonderful God is. He is truly loving, and in a very real way.