“When peace comes at last to those who wrestle with temptation and fight against the giving in to sin; when the light comes at last into the mind given to contemplation; or when the goal is finally achieved by anyone, it always comes with just one happy realization; ‘I need do nothing.’ (T389)”
Affirmation: “I need do nothing.”
Reflections:
1 – Difficult to Believe?
Perhaps we find this a difficult passage to believe. And perhaps it is difficult to believe.
2 – Heaven
The passage is saying that we don’t have to achieve our way into heaven. “I need do nothing.” What a comforting thought! How consoling to believe that we will believe and even understand this passage when the Awakening has happened to us.
3 – Forgiveness
There are various ways to achieve Awakening. But the A Course in Miracles says that our brother is our way–forgiveness of our brother (and sister). That is the way that we reach the goal. And then we know that we need do nothing.
4 – Effortlessness
The way to Heaven on earth is meant to be effortless. This does not mean that we will never “achieve.” It only means that we do not have to achieve to merit Heaven. God will send us on many errands for our brothers and sisters, but they will not seem a burden, for they are chosen for us by the One who knows us inside and out.
5 – Guidance
We need to let the Holy Spirit guide our days. They may be busy days, but there will be an effortlessness about them that will prove the point of the chosen passage for today. We do not have to struggle. We are not without help from unseen companions. Let God speak the truth of such musings to your heart today.
Prayer:
Dear Father/Mother,
Help me to glimpse the full meaning of this passage and this important sentence, “I need do nothing.” I realize that this does not mean that I will do nothing, because we are often send on busy errands. But my salvation is not dependent on good works. We forgive our brothers and sisters, and then we, gradually, come to understand more. And Awakening stands at the end, once we have lived through the means to that end.
Be with me today. I would not lead anybody astray, because this passage is not a prescription for laziness. But it is a prescription for effortlessness, for all comes easy to us when we have come to understand how to follow You. Be with me as I seek to listen and to discern accurately what the Holy Spirit is telling me. I need You today.
Amen.
Understanding of this statement promotes such peacefulness. :)
Dear Suzanne,
Yes, this is a peaceful thought. We will maybe even be busy, but that doesn’t mean that we have to achieve to please God. There is another passage that makes this clear, the one about needing nothing to determine our worth before God.
Most cordially, Celia