LESSON 75
March 16

"The light has come."

PRACTICE SUMMARY

Purpose: To happily offer thanks for the passing of the old world and the acceptance of the new world. To look upon the real world.

Longer: 2 times for 10-15 minutes.

Tell yourself: "The light has come. I have forgiven the world." Forget the past and realize you do not yet know what the world looks like. Merely wait for it to be shown you, while repeating slowly and patiently: "The light has come. I have forgiven the world." Realize that because you have forgiven, the Holy Spirit will certainly give you vision. He will join you as you watch and wait. Tell Him and yourself that you cannot fail to see the world He promised. For you will see it.

Shorter: every 15 minutes.

Joyfully remind yourself: "The light has come. I have forgiven the world." Rejoice in God's Love, the power of forgiveness, in the fact that today is a new beginning warranting special celebration.

Response To Temptation: Whenever someone seems to pull you back to darkness, say: "The light has come. I have forgiven you."

COMMENTARY

In this lesson, as in several others, the Course speaks of me as though I have accepted its message and have forgiven the world; as though I am ready, this very day, to see the real world; as though I have attained its goal of peace. Perhaps today I do not feel quite worthy of such confidence. Yet, if what we have been reading the past two days is true, any impression that I may have that my will differs from God's is only an illusion. My true Self, which in my right mind I am aware of, is exactly as this lesson depicts me. This lesson is the truth about myself, whether or not I have yet recognized it.

If I feel a little hypocritical in practicing this lesson exactly as instructed, so be it. If I have self-doubts that arise when I say, "I have forgiven the world," I let them be there; I attribute no power to them to disturb me. I am simply affirming the truth about myself. Today, I am at peace, and I bring peace with me wherever I go (1:5). "The light has come." I let myself believe it; I let myself enter into knowing that frame of mind.

Whatever my experience today, this lesson is the truth. I cannot stand against what is within me; I cannot be other than what God created me to be. "The outcome is as sure as God," as the Text says (T-2.II.3:18). "Our single purpose makes the goal inevitable" (4:3). I will see the real world; I will see Heaven's reflection everywhere.

Do I feel I lack the certainty of this lesson's words? That is exactly why I need to practice saying them. Perhaps if I give my little willingness to speak them, affirming that this is what I want to be true, the Holy Spirit will add His strength to my words and make them true for me. Perhaps even today. "The light has come." It is here, right now, with me, available to me.

The Holy Spirit "will be with you as you watch and wait. He will show you what true vision sees. It is His Will, and you have joined with Him. Wait patiently for Him. He will be there" (7:5-9). So I wait. I wait "patiently" and not anxiously. It may take time to manifest, but I wait patiently, confidently, knowing that His promise cannot fail. The vision I seek will come to me. "He will be there."

We are told to "tell Him you know you cannot fail because you trust in Him" (8:1). So I say it; I pray, "Holy Spirit, I know I cannot fail because I trust in You." I affirm my confidence in my Self; I affirm the truth about me, and put aside the lies I have believed. I can be confident that this day is a new beginning for me. Something has shifted within me and I know that I want the peace and the light this lesson speaks of; I know that if I want it, because of what I am, and because I am joined with the power of the Holy Spirit in wanting it, in agreement with the Will of God, I cannot fail.

Today is dedicated to serenity (11:1). Today is for celebration of the beginning of my vision. I accept myself as God created me. "The light has come."