September 19th 2014 Lesson 185
I want the peace of God.
- Intention: To understand the true meaning of "I want the peace of God" and to say these words and mean them. If we could but do this for just an instant, there would be no further sorrow possible for us in any form; in any place or time. The world would be completely changed.
- Practice: We want the peace of God, and only that. No one can mean these words and not be healed. He cannot play with dreams, nor think he is himself a dream. He cannot make a hell and think it real. He wants the peace of God, and it is given him. To mean you want the peace of God is to renounce all dreams. For no one means these words who wants illusions and who therefore seeks the means which bring illusion.
The mind which means that all it wants is peace must join with other minds, for that is how peace is obtained. And when the wish for peace is genuine, the means for finding it is given, in a form each mind that seeks for it in honesty can understand. This is no idle wish. These words do not request another dream be given us. They do not ask for compromise, nor try to make another bargain in the hope that there may yet be one that can succeed where all the rest have failed. To mean these words acknowledges illusions are in vain; to mean these words is to request the eternal in the place of shifting dreams which seem to change in what they offer, but are one in nothingness.
- Application: Today devote your practice periods to careful searching of your mind, to find the dreams you cherish still. What do you ask for in your heart? forget the words you use in making your request. Consider but what you believe will comfort you, and bring you happiness. But be you not dismayed by lingering illusions, for their form is not what matters now. Let not some dreams be more acceptable, reserving shame and secrecy for others. They are one. And being one, one question should be asked of them, "Is this what I would have, in place of Heaven and the peace of God?"
This is the choice you make. Be not deceived that it is otherwise. No compromise is possible in this. You choose God's peace, or you have asked for dreams. And dreams will come as you requested them. Yet will God's peace come just as certainly and to remain with you forever. The peace of God is what everyone wants, whether they know it or not, and no one who truly seeks the peace of God can fail to find it. For he merely asks that he deceive himself no longer by denying to himself what is God's Will.
For you was peace created, given you by its Creator, and established as His Own eternal gift. How can you fail, when you but ask for what He wills for you. And how could your request be limited to you alone? No one can loose and everyone must gain whenever any gift of God has been requested and received by anyone. God gives but to unite, loss is meaningless to Him, and when it is meaningless to you, you can be sure you share one Will with Him and all your brothers.
Insights/comments:
- "Ask and it shall be given; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened onto you."--Matthew 7.7.
- "And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive"--Matthew 21.22.
- The common theme here is to be mindful of what we ask. If we ask for dreams that is what we will receive, but just as easily, if we ask for the peace of God, that too will be given and we will dream no more. For peace comes from awakening and recognizing that dreams cannot bring lasting happiness, nor replace the will of God Who created us. We can have whatever we want, but let us be wise and choose that which is God’s will and which has already been given us to last beyond all time and bring fulfillment to every dream we could ever imagine..
I and my Creator are One.
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