You may not realize that the ego has set up a plan for salvation in opposition to God’s. It is this plan in which you believe. Since it is the opposite of God’s, you also believe that to accept God’s plan in place of the ego’s is to be damned.
The ego’s plan for salvation centers around holding grievances. It maintains that, if someone else spoke or acted differently, if some external circumstance or event were changed, you would be saved [happy]. Thus, the source of salvation is constantly perceived as outside yourself. Each grievance you hold is a declaration, and an assertion in which you believe, that says, “If this were different, I would be saved.” The change of mind necessary for salvation is thus demanded of everyone and everything except yourself.
According to this insane plan, any perceived source of salvation is acceptable provided that it will not work.
God’s plan for salvation works simply because, by following His direction, you seek for salvation where it is. But if you are to succeed, as God promises you will, you must be willing to seek there only.
Ask [God] very specifically:
What would You have me do?
Where would You have me go?
What would You have me say, and to whom?…let Him tell you what needs to be done by you in His plan for your salvation. He will answer in proportion to your willingness to hear His Voice. Refuse not to hear. (, A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson 71,W-pI.71.1:1-3;2;3:2;5:1-2;9:2-8. See also ACIM Lesson 71 Insights.)
Every grievance is an ego defense against accepting our oneness with the Love of God. The ego believes correctly that if we accepted God’s Love wholeheartedly, it would be the end of the ego. This is intolerable to the ego so it offers its own plan to make us feel happy and safe. Yet this substitute plan is part of its defense. The ego’s plan will always direct us on a search to find peace and happiness where it cannot be found. It disguises its uselessness by offering us another form to search for when we realize our search has been unsuccessful.
Fortunately God offers us a plan that will work. It is a plan of forgiveness, letting go of our attempts to put the means for salvation outside of us. It is our mind that needs healing. It is here that we must change or let go of our wish to have an identity separate from our Creator, from Love.
Let us join together in the practice of listening to the Voice of Love within that will teach us of our unity and safety in God’s changeless Love.
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