III. The Investment in Reality, P 2
2 Suppose a brother insists on having you do something you think you do not want to do. His very insistence should tell you that he believes salvation lies in it. If you insist on refusing and experience a quick response of opposition, you are believing that your salvation lies in not doing it. You, then, are making the same mistake he is, and are making his error real to both of you. Insistence means investment, and what you invest in is always related to your notion of salvation. The question is always twofold; first, what is to be saved? And second, how can it be saved?
Journal
I have a brother who is very religious. He believes as strongly in his version of religion as I do in A Course in Miracles. It used to be that when we were together we tried not to talk about the only thing that really matters to us since we seem to have no meeting place on this subject. Over time I have made a different choice. I don’t bring up religion, but if he wants to talk about it, I let him. I open my mind to the Holy Spirit in him and listen.
He thinks this is where his salvation lies, that is, to share his beliefs with me is salvation to him. To refuse to hear him would mean that I think that not hearing his beliefs is my salvation. When I close my ears to him, I am making the same mistake he is and making our error real to us both. I know that A Course in Miracles is not the only path home and I know that where he is on his path is perfect for him at this time.
So why would I resist his words. He is sharing his joy, why wouldn’t I accept his gift gladly and in gratitude that he loves me and wants me to have it. Am I invested in the idea that my way is the only way? If so, I have a thought in my mind that I can bring to Holy Spirit to be healed. I don’t have to join him in his beliefs, but I can be a listener. God honors our miscreations simply because they are ours. That doesn’t mean he accepts them as truth. I can emulate that generosity and love and honor my brother’s ideas whether I embrace them or not.
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