Miracles News

Tweet

October-December, 2023

Accepting My Role in God’s Plan

by Rev. Lynne Whitehill, Ordained Ministerial Counselor

“I will be still and listen to the truth. What does it mean to give and receive?” (W-106.7:5-6)

I was invited to meet friends for lunch near a busy shopping street in central London. I decided to get there early to see if I could buy some walking shoes in preparation for a Camino, later in the year. It was a sunny day and there were throngs of people everywhere.

As I walked along the crowded street, I noticed there seemed to be more homeless people than ever before. Some were in groups of 2 or 3, calling out for money, others were holding up handwritten cardboard notices or cards, all with the same words, ‘I’m hungry. Please help. God bless you.’

As I made my way along the street, I was aware of a growing feeling of discomfort when I passed people asking for money, so did what I learned to do in India, which was to put my hand on my heart in acknowledgment. I tried to look at the people directly and say a silent blessing with Holy Spirit in mind, but sometimes I felt intimidated and passed too quickly to do even that.

I was aware that guilt was arising. Ego was nudging me in different ways; into shame for wanting ‘expensive’ walking shoes whilst others were in need and asking for help, and into further shame for not giving any cash. I didn’t buy any shoes that day.

Later, as I reflected on my experience, I recognized that I had always felt challenged when people asked for money on the street; giving small amounts of cash now and again seemed inadequate and I was also aware of my resistance to feeling pressured into giving. Up to then, I hadn’t queried my thinking around this, I had just assumed it was a ‘natural’ ego response of the fortunate towards the less fortunate in these situations.

However, joining with Holy Spirit and with reference to Lesson 106, I was shown that my fear-based response to observing people in poverty is also a way of making the world of separation real and of maintaining my own belief in deprivation. I wasn’t willing to step back and look beyond appearances or recognize that, in truth, we are all in the same state of existence because we are the same being, God’s One Son. I wasn’t willing to believe that I could offer anything ‘more helpful’ than a simple gesture and silent ‘bless you’. Now, I see that I can let go of the temptation to abandon God and His Son by making the physical appearances of poverty real and seemingly insurmountable. I can ask Holy Spirit to show me, instead, what it means to give and to receive.

I can ask for a miracle and listen to God’s Word:

“Listen, and hear your Father speak to you through His appointed Voice, which silences the thunder of the meaningless, and shows the way to peace to those who cannot see.” (W-106.2:1)

I can know that His blessing is joyous because it heals all sorrow and despair. My role as part of God’s plan is not to avoid looking at the appearance of lack or guilt in the illusion, and not to be without compassion, but it also requires looking without judging what any of it means, including my own responses. When I am willing to listen and receive only the truth, it will be extended to thousands and this is the most powerful gift I can offer.

“Let me be still and listen to the truth. I am the messenger of God today, My voice is His, to give what I receive.” (W-106.10:3-4)

© 2023, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
You may freely share copies of this with your friends, provided this copyright notice and website address are included.

Tell a Friend

Printable Page

Back to main page of Miracles News.

Has this page been helpful to you?
Your contribution to support this site is greatly appreciated. To make a tax deductible contribution with a credit/debit card, click here.
Click here to donate from your PayPal account.
Or send a check to Pathways of Light, 12530 Lions Chase Court, Huntley, IL 60142.