“True faithfulness, however, does not deviate. Being consistent, it is wholly honest. Being unswerving, it is full of trust. Being based on fearlessness, it is gentle. Being certain, it is joyous. And being confident, it is tolerant. (M15)”
Affirmation: “May I be honest, trusting, gentle, joyous, and tolerant.”
Reflections:
This is a dense passage, dense with meaning. It builds upon the definition of faithfulness we read yesterday, and it is extols consistency in our image of the idea.
We have read elsewhere that honesty is actually consistency of thought and deed–nothing contradicts our inner beliefs and nothing that we do externally contradicts what we feel inside.
Trust is mentioned again, as it was yesterday. We must place our trust in the Word of God to set all things right.
Gentleness leads to fearlessness, because we are not always looking toward our backs to see who might betray us.
When we are certain about the course that our lives will take, in love, we can feel joy.
And then, finally, when we are tolerant. we can live with the strength of confidence in our choices.
Nowhere else in the Course are so many promises packed in so short a span of phrases.
This is one of the strengths of the Manual, which can lead some readers to choose this shorter part as the one with which they begin. Jesus does not counsel against this, leaving it to the reader to choose the parts first that speak to him or her the most.
Prayer:
Dear Father/Mother,
I can remember all parts of this great promise as I walk through the day. Forgive my limitations. Help me now to drive these ideas deep into my mind, so that they are there in my subconscious when I need them.
Help me to be tolerant of my own limitations. I know that in this world I will have limitations, but Your promises are sure, and I can depend upon the guidance of the Holy Spirit as I walk through the day.
Amen.
