II. The Law of the Kingdom, Paragraph 7
7 What can the perfect consistency of the Kingdom mean to those who are confused? It is apparent that confusion interferes with meaning, and therefore prevents the learner from appreciating it. There is no confusion in the Kingdom, because there is only one meaning. This meaning comes from God and is God. Because it is also you, you share it and extend it as your Creator did. This needs no translation because it is perfectly understood, but it does need extension because it means extension. Communication is perfectly direct and perfectly united. It is totally free, because nothing discordant ever enters. That is why it is the Kingdom of God. It belongs to Him and is therefore like Him. That is its reality, and nothing can assail it.
Within the world there is confusion because there are meanings from which to choose. Because there are meanings we have preferences and so when we don’t get what we prefer we feel unhappy. For instance, I prefer an early bed time and a leisurely morning in which to do my writing before I go to work. When this happens I feel good, but when my plans are thwarted, I feel unhappy.
Because there are meanings we choose one and our brother chooses another and so our differences are further emphasized and instead of being in love, we are in competition. Even within the Course community there is a tendency to interpret A Course in Miracles differently and to defend the interpretation we choose. This leads to conflict and so to unhappiness.
The different meanings vie for our attention and distract and confuse. On every level we are given choices. We have fashion choices, political choices, and relationship choices. We choose what job we want and where we would go on vacation, what we will do with our free time and who we will do it with. It sounds interesting and exciting, but it is actually just distractions to keep us from noticing how unsatisfying and often painful and even tragic our life really is.
We either fight for our meaning or try to enlist other believers to fortify our choice. Whether it is the religion of choice or the political party we prefer, or the cause of the day, we are called to convince others and get them to support our side. If we are for one thing, that implies we are also against the other, which is just war cloaked in righteousness.
It becomes confusing because the more we support, even in our thoughts, one side or another, the more apparent it seems that we should do something. And I am not saying we shouldn’t do something. I am saying, though, that if we do something let it be from love, not from fear of what would happen if we did nothing. Let our actions be guided by One Who will direct us to the next link in the chain of Atonement, rather than by the ego that only wants to win at the expense of the loser.
In this world we think that the right to choose is worth fighting for. I have been making choices for 65 years and I have never made a choice that led to perfect peace. I give up. I surrender the ego’s “right” to choose, and ask the Holy Spirit to choose for me. I see now that I have always chosen one illusion over another and so nothing has actually happened, so why should I expect satisfaction. I see now that filling my mind with endless varieties of nothing is only confusing. Now I make the only choice that involves reality, the only choice for peace. I choose God over ego, and I wait in trust to see how that unfolds.
© Copyright 2014, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
You may freely share copies of this with your friends, provided this notice is included.
Has this page been helpful to you?
Your contribution in support of this site is greatly appreciated. To make a tax deductible contribution or become a member online, go to http://www.pathwaysoflight.org/polshop/home.php?cat=254.
Or send a check or money order to Pathways of Light, 6 Oak Court, Ormond Beach, FL 32174-2623 (USD only, please) Thank you for your support.