A Course in Miracles Lesson 65

My only function is the one God gave me.

If we take nothing else from this lesson, we need to at least take the idea that salvation is a total commitment. This commitment has two parts: first, we recognize – we remember – that salvation is our only function (W-pI.65.1:5). Second we willingly let any and all other apparent functions go W-pI.65.1:5). Then we are ready to take our “rightful place among the saviors of the world” (W-pI.65.2:1).

This commitment we make is not only a matter of intention but also application.

As you share my unwillingness to accept error in yourself and others, you must join the great crusade to correct it; listen to my voice, learn to undo error and act to correct it. The power to work miracles belongs to you (T-1.III.1:6-7).

Our minds are undisciplined; they wander. We are ready to be saviors one minute, but then slip into vengeful fantasies the next. The past is always reminding us of our errors and the errors of others and the future becomes the alternating possibility of correction and revenge at once. Yet A Course in Miracles assures us that outside the Holy Instant, we cannot claim our real identity and the healing it would bestow on us, the world, and our brothers and sisters.

For the instant of holiness is shared, and cannot be yours alone. Remember, then,  when you are tempted to attack a brother or sister that their instant of release is yours. Miracles are the instants of release you offer, and will receive. They attest to your willingness to be released . . . (T-15.I.12:2-5).

Lesson 65 is dedicated to searching out all the trivial ideas, concepts, goals, obsessions, plans and scenarios to which our thinking is given. We want to see the way in which – and the degree to which – our thoughts conspire against our true nature and its function. Ego is persuasive – we need to make more money, be more fit, find better friends, have more or different sex.

Our true function – the salvation of the world – eschews all of this. If we would believe this – and act upon that belief – we would know peace.

Today’s idea offers you escape from all your perceived difficulties. It places the key to the door of peace, which you have closed upon yourself, in your own hands. It gives you the answer to all the searching you have done since time began (W-pI.65.3:2-4).

When faced with conflict, we tend to want to fix it. We want to confront it head on. But there’s another way. We can simply let it go. We can simply realize that this is not my fight, this is not my function. My function is salvation and conflict interferes with that. I am here to serve my Creator and my Creator asks me to remember – for myself and the world – peace of mind.

And then – in an active, intentional and serious way – we let go of conflict.

This letting go is not easy. Yet the more we practice, the more adept we become with it. And as we become more adept, we become happier. Our happiness becomes the guide; we realize that our happiness is a trustworthy barometer. And we see, too, how naturally it extends itself unto others. Happiness becomes our teacher.

It always arrives as a shock, seeing how little one has to do. There is such love and positive energy in our mind and it sustains and nurtures us. But it never forces itself on us. Our efforts neither establish nor secure it. The faintest of faint requests is sufficient to muster mighty forces to aid us. We set aside our foolish ideas and silly games and give attention only to the love that is our inheritance, the gift that only we can give the world.

We become hopeful, and we become happy. And being both hopeful and happy, we become truly helpful. Helpfulness is the other way of which Bill Thetford long ago spoke.  How grateful we are at last to be on it.

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