THE GIFTS OF GOD — Sondra Ray and Markus Ray on A Course in Miracles

This Lesson gives us the whole enchilada about Love, its Source, its scope, its full meaning in our Life. 

What I extend I receive. The forgiveness that we give still has the seeds of judgment embedded in it. Therefore, another version of forgiveness is necessary. To see clearly the spotless nature of our True Identity is to render all mistakes meaningless. When we give a vision of absolute innocence and peace, then no mistake can stand in the way of our Holiness. We see the Holiness of our brother [regardless of his errors] and our Self simultaneously. In this way, all that we give in terms of a vision of absolute innocence is given to ourself. 

Who is quiet? This is the state of Mind that the Course is leading us to, in order to receive the directions from our Creator. Who can quiet their mind in order to be empty? Into the empty space we can receive. Our job in this lesson is to observe our mind and let go. By letting go we create a space of inner silence. This state is essential in order to receive Divine guidance.

Can we remember we are one with God? What would that mean to us? This Lesson continues in the gifts that God bestows on us when we are cognizant of His Presence in our life. What stops us from paying attention to this important connection? Do we think we already know what we are here to be and express? We are encouraged to make this Divine Connection the most important one in our Life.

Gratitude is the attitude of receiving and giving. The gifts of God are only effective if we receive and give them. They are “grounded in our being,” so to speak. This Lesson make it clear that an inner atmosphere of gratitude is what strengthens our bond to the “gifts of God.” We give thanks for the four months of inner transformations that A Course in Miracles have brought about in us.

Forgiveness offers everything we want. The Gifts of God are profound, and forgiveness offers these to us. Do we value them? Do we want peace? Do we want a sense of worth and beauty that transcends the world? Maybe we have not even considered we can have these gifts. Do we even value them? This Lesson says that forgiveness offers them to us. Do we believe that, or would we rather keep our judgments and grievances? Truly this is an important Lesson.

This Lessons begins the deep teaching of ACIM. "Forgiveness is the Key to happiness," and we need help in this process because we have been so used to a mind of "judgments" and "grievances." To imagine a mind without them seems almost impossible. This is why the Lesson says we need to learn to give up these judgments, "but from a Teacher other than yourself, Who represents the other Self in you. Through Him you learn how to forgive the self you think you made, and let it disappear. Thus you return your mind as one to Him Who is your Self, and Who can never sin." Can we do it? 

These two Lessons put us in peace when it comes to our daily actions. Can we allow God to move in us and through us? "I rest in God." This is the statement that will bring our minds to peace in all that we do. But we have to remember to put our minds in this place of complete letting go. Accepting that we already are as God created us, we can let go and rest in God. Then life takes care of all of all our needs. 

The truth is, "God's Peace and Joy are mine." Anytime I am not feeling this Peace and Joy, then I am in some thought which is an error. Not to worry, because all "errors" can be corrected. Are we willing to give the truth of  "Peace and Joy" our attention, in order to receive this truth? This is the principle: We can return to God's Peace and Joy easily because we are hard wired with them. They are "in us," not outside of us. Seeking for external goals (that we may or may not readily achieve) could be a distraction from the Peace and Joy that is available to us now. We have to claim these gifts of God right in this instant, inside of ourselves.  The Holy Spirit helps us to do this. Truth helps us to do this.

What is the truth? God's peace and joy are ours. And these are absolute—without opposites. The other truth is that we are God's Perfect Son/Daughter. Are we listening to this "truth," or do  have some other conflict or guilt in our life that we are giving too much energy and importance. Perfect happiness does not include conflict or guilt. So why do we allow them? It's time we make a stand to connect with this power of Divine Consciousness within us. We can if we really want that "above all else."