ACIM Workbook Lesson 342 – for Thursday, December 8, 2011
Affirmation: “I let forgiveness rest upon all things,
For thus forgiveness will be given me.”
“The key is in my hand, and I have reached the door beyond which lies the end of dreams. I stand before the gate of Heaven,, wondering if I should enter in and be at home. (WB474)”
Reflections:
1 – Paving the Way to Awakening
This passage paves the way to Awakening, a way paved first by our forgiveness of ourselves as well as our brothers and sisters. But we are “wondering if I should enter in and be at home.” This last sentence highlights the fact that the time of Awakening, while entirely God’s choice, is not untouched by our own dedication to forgiveness: “The key is in my hand.” When we reach beyond the door, we have gone beyond dreams, even the happy ones brought to us in preparation by the Holy Spirit.
2 -Forgiveness = Path to Salvation
When we forgive all things, then is forgiveness given to us. God, it is said in the Text, does not forgive, because He has never condemned. But the forgiveness required by this world is a function that we ourselves assume when we embark on the path to salvation.
3 – It Is Necessary to Go On
The affirmation and the passage chosen for today are working in tandem. We forgive, the key is in our hand, and then we stop–wondering if we should go on. It is necessary to go on. We have been prepared by the Holy Spirit’s happy dreams not to be scared by the experience of Awakening. Without that careful preparation, we would be terrified when confronted and thrown into Awakening. God is too loving to have us enter a new state while tied to the old one. We loosen the ties gently and easily, and walk into the sunlight with God.
4 – Why Are Happy Dreams Not Enough?
Sometimes, when the dreams are especially happy, we may think that this is “enough.” Why go on when we don’t know what lies beyond the door? But there is a definite reason why we need to go beyond the door. It is our next reasonable step. Once we have moved beyond the door, there is no turning back–if Awakening is sustained. Prior to his sustainability, we may know glimpses of Awakening that do not last. These have been brought to us by revelation, but to get to the end of the road, we need to have the means explained to us (Text tenets). And A Course in Miracles is doing just that.
Prayer:
Dear Father/Mother,
I need to key in today to the fact that forgiveness of my brothers and sisters is an absolutely mandatory next step for me. I must make forgiveness total, and I must revisit shadows of unforgiveness that rear their heads. We can always be a little more loving, a little more kind, a little more forgiving. May all of us join in this common endeavor for salvation.
I would know today that You lead the way always. Your Guide, the Holy Spirit, gently and easily maps out a daily walk, on which are found the people whom I need to meet, just for this day. Help me to remember always that there are no coincidence in your universe. We need to see the people whom You have led us to see. May I be flexible enough to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit throughout each hour of this day.
Be with me as I start a new day. May I realize that this day is the beginning of the rest of my life, and may I be careful to thank You for the many blessings that lie around me. May today be good in all respects, keeping my understanding of Your vision before always.
Amen.
