Commentary on ACIM Lesson 171

©2010 Rev. David Seacord

Review V Introduction.

God is but love, and therefore so am I.

I once heard that Yogi Bhagan (of the Sikh tradition) instructed his students/disciples to wear their traditional white clothing even when working on automobiles, or other 'dirty' work. This was to 'develop grace'.

My memory of this instruction was triggered this morning as I was walking past an item that needed to be relocated, while on a different errand. God simply suggested I could pick it up too, since I was going to go past where the item needed to also go. Where grace comes in is in the 'musicality' of the insertion. It required only a nano-seconds consideration to recognize that God was right (it was possible), but there was an egoic momentum in progress that would need to be released. I.E., 'I' was already two or three steps past the item, and therefore 'I' would need to brake, back-up, shuffle what 'I' was currently holding so that I'd have a free hand, pick-up the item, and then continue to the location where the item was to go, set it down, and then return full attention back to the errand 'I' 'was doing'.

So the real choice in the question was, was I being an 'ego doing something' or a 'being being'. When looked at closely, the momentum (which normally argues 'Not now, I'll do it later') is past-based. God's suggestion of a 'new possibility' being inserted was a 'present recognition'.

I feel 'grace' in my life many times as a result of my 'willingness' training.... to go with the incoming suggestions of God in the now-moment. Remember, the Course teaches what is most helpful on this journey is 'a little willingness'. It is from these moments of willingness that many of the miracles in my life arise. And when viewed with hindsight, it is self-obvious that the gifts that have been delivered to me via these unplanned-for-miracles and that have transformed my life are directly from a God that loves me, knows what I really need, and is offering that to me everywhere, in every moment, and in every way possibly imaginable.

But here is the real payoff. When I am flexible enough to stay 'in the present' and add-in the 'in the moment arrivals', I feel like an instrument capable of soaring exalted sweeping thunderous melodies, and my heart lives in Joy. I lose a lot of that connection to Joy each time I say 'no way, can't do it' back to God. What I am recognizing is that my greatest pleasure is to live feeling this Joy. The thing that humbles me is learning that my Joy is also 'God's greatest treasure'.

Namaste,

David

_______________________

Lesson 171

REVIEW V
Introduction

We now review again. This time we are ready to give more effort and more time to what we undertake. We recognize we are preparing for another phase of understanding. We would take this step completely, that we may go on again more certain, more sincere, with faith upheld more surely. Our footsteps have not been unwavering, and doubts have made us walk uncertainly and slowly on the road this course sets forth. But now we hasten on, for we approach a greater certainty, a firmer purpose and a surer goal.

Steady our feet, our Father. Let our doubts be quiet and our holy minds be still, and speak to us. We have no words to give to You. We would but listen to Your Word, and make it ours. Lead our practicing as does a father lead a little child along a way he does not understand. Yet does he follow, sure that he is safe because his father leads the way for him.

So do we bring our practicing to You. And if we stumble, You will raise us up. If we forget the way, we count upon Your sure remembering. We wander off, but You will not forget to call us back. Quicken our footsteps now, that we may walk more certainly and quickly unto You. And we accept the Word You offer us to unify our practicing, as we review the thoughts that You have given us.

(repeated, edited into 'first person')

Steady my feet, my Father. Let my doubts be quiet and my holy mind be still, and speak to me. In this moment, I have no words to give to You. I would but listen to Your Word, and make it mine. Lead my practicing (as does a father lead a little child along a way he does not understand. Yet does he follow, sure that he is safe because his father leads the way for him).

So do I bring my practicing to You. And if I stumble, I know You will raise me back up. If I forget the way, I count upon Your sure remembering. If I wander off, I know You will not forget to call me back. Quicken my footsteps now, that I may walk more certainly and quickly unto You. And I accept the Word You offer me to unify my practicing, as I review the thoughts that You have given me.

This is the thought which should precede the thoughts that we review. Each one but clarifies some aspect of this thought, or helps it be more meaningful, more personal and true, and more descriptive of the holy Self we share and now prepare to know again:

God is but Love, and therefore so am I.

This Self alone knows Love. This Self alone is perfectly consistent in Its Thoughts; knows Its Creator, understands Itself, is perfect in Its knowledge and Its Love, and never changes from Its constant state of union with Its Father and Itself.

And it is this that waits to meet us at the journey's ending. Every step we take brings us a little nearer. This review will shorten time immeasurably, if we keep in mind that this remains our goal, and as we practice it is this to which we are approaching. Let us raise our hearts from dust to life, as we remember this is promised us, and that this course was sent to open up the path of light to us, and teach us, step by step, how to return to the eternal Self we thought we lost.

I take the journey with you. For I share your doubts and fears a little while, that you may come to me who recognize the road by which all fears and doubts are overcome. We walk together. I must understand uncertainty and pain, although I know they have no meaning. Yet a savior must remain with those he teaches, seeing what they see, but still retaining in his mind the way that led him out, and now will lead you out with him. God's Son is crucified until you walk along the road with me.

My resurrection comes again each time I lead a brother safely to the place at which the journey ends and is forgot. I am renewed each time a brother learns there is a way from misery and pain. I am reborn each time a brother's mind turns to the light in him and looks for me. I have forgotten no one. Help me now to lead you back to where the journey was begun, to make another choice with me.

Release me as you practice once again the thoughts I brought to you from Him Who sees your bitter need, and knows the answer God has given Him. Together we review these thoughts. Together we devote our time and effort to them. And together we will teach them to our brothers. God would not have Heaven incomplete. It waits for you, as I do. I am incomplete without your part in me. And as I am made whole we go together to our ancient home, prepared for us before time was and kept unchanged by time, immaculate and safe, as it will be at last when time is done.

Let this review be then your gift to me. For this alone I need; that you will hear the words I speak, and give them to the world. You are my voice, my eyes, my feet, my hands through which I save the world. The Self from which I call to you is but your own. To Him we go together. Take your brother's hand, for this is not a way we walk alone. In him I walk with you, and you with me. Our Father wills His Son be one with Him. What lives but must not then be one with you (me)?

Let this review become a time in which we share a new experience for you, yet one as old as time and older still. Hallowed your Name. Your glory undefiled forever. And your wholeness now complete, as God established it. You are His Son, completing His extension in your own. We practice but an ancient truth we knew before illusion seemed to claim the world. And we remind the world that it is free of all illusions every time we say:

God is but Love, and therefore so am I.

With this we start each day of our review. With this we start and end each period of practice time. And with this thought we sleep, to waken once again with these same words upon our lips, to greet another day. No thought that we review but we surround with it, and use the thoughts to hold it up before our minds, and keep it clear in our rememberance throughout the day. And thus, when we have finished this review, we will have recognized the words we speak are true.

Yet are the words but aids, and to be used, except at the beginning and the end of practice periods, but to recall the mind, as needed, to its purpose. We place faith in the experience that comes from practice, not the means we use. We wait for the experience, and recognize that it is only here conviction lies. We use the words, and try and try again to go beyond them to their meaning, which is far beyond their sound. The sound grows dim and disappears, as we approach the Source of meaning. It is Here that we find rest.

Lesson 171

God is but Love, and therefore so am I.

(151) All things are echoes of the Voice for God.

God is but Love, and therefore so am I.

(152) The power of decision is my own.

God is but Love, and therefore so am I.