What Would Jesus
Have Us Choose for 2004?
What Would Jesus
Have Us Choose for 2004?
Debilitating fear or exhilarating joy? What kind of new year will we choose?
The news media warns us of flu epidemics, al-Qaida attacks, infected food supplies, and 6 or 7 other ego devices meant to terrorize.
But really, nothing is ever as it seems ... wouldn't you say?
It is said that "666" is the mark of the beast. Some fear-oriented Christians are wondering whether the digits of the year 2004 add up to 6.
Yet nothing is ever as it seems, wouldn't you agree?
Jesus tells us that how we see things is a choice we make:
"And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places, there will be famines; this is but the beginning of the birth-pangs."
(Mark 13:7-8)
Do not be alarmed? What would Jesus have us to do ... be at peace?
Jesus enjoys an extremely expanded viewpoint of what is going on, wouldn't you say? In fact, Jesus is so perfectly aware that what earthlings see is not what is really going on that he nods with pleased approval when we teach our children the story of Chicken Little:
Once upon a time there was a dear little chicken named Chicken Little.
One morning as she was scratching in her garden, an acorn fell from a tree and hit her on the head. She became utterly terrified and cried, "The sky is falling!" She began running screaming down the road wailing to everyone, "We've got to tell the King!"
We all know the story. When she reached the King He told her with a smile, "Go Home, you little chicken! Go Home!"
Of course Jesus wouldn't joke lovingly that we are little chickens unless such a jest helped us to see more clearly, but truthfully how often do we stop and notice that what appears to be going on is not what is really going on?
Our King tells us: "Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment." (John 7:24)
Metaphysical Christians are fond of saying something like: "Well, when Jesus or anyone in the Bible mentions coming wars and rumors of wars it has to do with the process going on inside of us as we open to the light as never before."
A modern Christian familiar with
A COURSE IN MIRACLES, the amazing revelation which Jesus has given us for the 21st century, might explain further that the fullness of our life, the Christ (777), cannot arrive until the ego's deepest, fullest expression (666) has been released. The complete healing (777) cannot take place until the most thorough healing crisis (666) has been allowed as an experience. The most glorious and final surrender into light (777) is a surrender of something, namely the final giving up of the last and the most powerful resistance the ego has to offer (666).
Wouldn't it be logical to anticipate the possibility that when we are opening to light as never before there might be a time when the ego goes absolutely berserk projecting its death wish ... one last gigantic death-throe of the ego?
Christians who use
A COURSE IN MIRACLES would extend the logic a step further and say that since our world is a reflection of our conscious and subconscious mind, then what is going on inside of us will be seen going on everywhere in our world. In other words if 777 is on the way, 666 is going to be seen first.
Jesus laughs and tells us that all the evidence we see of 666 is "the beginning of the birth-pangs." Does Jesus mean that all the seemingly increased pain, fear, and death in the world is merely a healing crisis which is deeper and more thorough than any previous healing crises, and will give birth to something so different and glorious it cannot even be imagined?
If not this, then what? Does anyone believe that the ego (or the devil) is capable of summoning more strength than God? Wouldn't it be more logical to recognize that the darkness is being pressed to its limit and is finding it necessary to spend all the last vestiges of its stored up strength?
Wouldn't it be more reasonable to conclude that if the Phoenix is going to rise, it will rise out of "ashes?"
Jesus clarifies for us in
A COURSE IN MIRACLES that he has always guided much more than merely "do not be alarmed." In the Course He speaks of the one and only solution to all pain, sickness, suffering, and death. Yes, the solution begins with "fear not," but then rapidly opens into giving ourselves permission to experience undreamed of joy and peace and love ... no matter what.
"You will see many problems today, each one calling for an answer. Our efforts will be directed toward recognizing that there is only one problem and one answer." (Workbook Lesson 79)
"One problem, one solution.... Only be certain you do not forget that all problems are the same. Their many forms will not deceive you while you remember this. One problem, one solution.... Close your eyes and receive your reward. Above all, remember that you have one problem, and the problem has one solution." (Workbook Lesson 80)
Not an easy task in the world of 2004?
Jesus tells us that once we've unreservedly made the choice we will discover it is the easiest thing in the world.
"Release is given you the instant you desire it.... Now you need but to remember you need do nothing. It would be far more profitable now merely to concentrate on this than to consider what you should do.... When the goal is finally achieved by anyone, it always comes with just one happy realization: "I need do nothing." (Text Chapter 18)
At the Miracles Healing Center here in Salt Lake City, we never cease reminding ourselves of the teaching of Jesus that for God's sake, and for our sake, which are one and the same, we don't want to look at ourselves or work on ourselves; we don't want to try to fix anything. We only need do nothing with our mind ... and happily watch all problems disappear.
Nonetheless, if old habits were to still tempt us and we were to still feel we need to do something, like have a resolution for the New Year, then maybe we could make 2004 our year of choosing to be not alarmed by news media stories; and choosing instead to explore, experience, and really extend to others everywhere the blessed modern revelation from Jesus which He lovingly calls:
A COURSE IN MIRACLES.
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