This morning I’m aware of the contradictory nature of my thoughts and desires in the physical world. Here are some very blunt examples, exaggerated to make a point:
I want people with whom I can talk and share about spirituality.
And then at times, I judge and am impatient with people’s comments and what they say they believe.
I want knowledge of God’s will and guidance.
I inconsistently listen and fail to stick with it.
I want the peace of God.
I entertain unpeaceful thoughts and at times watch programs that are tense and filled with drama, action, and death. I love stories of interpersonal relationships, all of which at times, are conflicted and filled with pain. More drama. I too often criticize and fail to love myself.
I say I love music.
I often can’t stand to have anything on and am intolerant of music I dislike.
I want to be of help to people.
I sometimes judge conversations as meaningful or not. It can be hard to be with someone, give them my full attention, and just be there for them. My lack of interest in a topic becomes a block to my being kind and loving.
I say I’ll do what God wills I do.
I sometimes resist or want results now, want something more, or something different.
Contradictions are of the world.
Contradictions exist only in the world. There is no contradiction in God or in the Self He created as you and as me. Perhaps the biggest contradiction is to live with the thought I am unworthy when God has assured me I am His beloved, set on high as a light upon a hill. We are to be the light of the world and to help bring the light of divine Truth to the minds of our brothers. We must cease insisting on our frailties, failings, and littleness. Our strength, certainty, and love are needed now. This is not a time to pretend and persist in playing small.
So, if I haven’t scared off my friends by such disclosures, I will repeat that my intention is to bluntly express the nature of the judgmental lower self. This is not about you, it’s about me. Essentially, it’s about both of us not remembering our divinity. I recognize that I’m becoming more loving and better with every example I’ve given, only because I actively observe and am willing to change.
Patience and acceptance come with persistence.
Except for the loud, unpleasant music, I am participating in all of it with greater patience and acceptance. I am more willing to be there for you, and to put my needs aside, recognizing that in doing so, my needs are met as well. And about the music, I choose what to listen to and when. That’s simple. In time, I believe even music will no longer be an irritation. But, my brother, I must see differently so as to love and serve in the same manner as I would wash the feet of Christ were He in front of me. We are told, our brother is the Christ and that when we do for him, we do for Him. What we refuse to do for our brother, we refuse to do for God. So in Truth, it is Christ who is in front of me, as my brother.
Our advances benefit each other and all those who follow.
The changes are a joy for me, and admittedly, I am still in progress. I know, the changes I am describing, many of you are experiencing as well. We cannot go through this alone! There is an entire generation today, that has been involved with self-growth based in psychology and spiritual advancement for decades. It all hit the bookstores during our youth. Many of us are retired or otherwise have a generous measure of time to thrive in spiritual study and practice. It’s a good thing, because perhaps more than ever, it is needed today.
Many who have come after us have a personal and spiritual awareness that was absent in our own formative years. Younger generations have benefited from our personal and collective choices, from books, movies, lectures, and a variety of spiritual teachings. It’s been time for such expansion. At the same time, the world and the “minds of men” await our healing touch right now. It’s both our pleasure and responsibility to become it and to provide it. “A Course in Miracles” tells us “we will be healed as we let Him teach us to heal” (text; 28).
Be the light that you are.
“A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5: 14-16). The Bible teachings and stories are for us. We are each the Prodigal Son returning home to the father, the fishermen who are told to cast the net on the other side, the man who is told, “Go,” … your son will live” (John 4:50). We are on the path home, are guided where to cast our nets so as to receive generous sustenance and our good, and that by our faith, we know there is only life, not death.
I’m done being hard on myself. I am the Prodigal Son who has recognized his error. Without a doubt, I am faced toward home...toward God. It matters not that I may have attachments in the world, or that I appear to sink a moment before I swim again. My progress is forward, and I am deciding right now to keep my eye on the light you hold for me. Truly a whole big bunch of us have decided our goal is to remember our spiritual identity in God. It’s my intention to recognize you when I meet you, to celebrate our shared decision and strength in God, our certainty of purpose, and to be the light for you in turn. Failure is impossible, for it is God that has set our goal.
