Lesson 65: My only function is the one God gave me.
The world has many expectations of us – to be productive members of society, form relationships, propagate the species and, first and foremost, look out for number one. We have a lot of expectations on ourselves as well to be “successful” in the world (whatever that means) and build a life that we hope will make us happy.
The ego tells us that our function in this world, then, is to go out there and make it happen – to be the best we can be in business, at home, at play and in all other areas of life. We live by the carrot and the stick – chasing after worldly success and accolades – but wondering at the end of the day what we’re really striving for and if it’s worth all the effort we seem to be exerting – because happiness seems to so fleeting.
A Course in Miracles says we are free to try everything under the ego’s sun to find happiness and fulfillment, but we will never find true happiness until we embrace our true function – to accept forgiveness for ourselves (the Atonement that undoes all illusion) and realize our true function is the one God has given us – to be the light of the world. In the roll and flow of life, however, we forget this. The ego’s game is easy to get wrapped up in, trying to get ahead out there while neglecting the work within that guarantees we can find peace and happiness.
“Today’s idea offers you escape from all your perceived difficulties,” this lesson tells us. “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.”
Honestly, this is really good news. We can stop striving for what the world expects from us – because the world believes our function is to die with the most toys – and instead focus on “salvation” as our function. Remember, salvation isn’t about sacrifice, it’s about allowing the veil of separation to be removed from our sight so we can behold the unity that is our true Reality.
When we remember who we are – God’s light in the world – then we can make that the sole focus of our days. In everything we do, say or think we can focus on how it will bring about an end to the separation. Instead of posting snarky, “us v. them” memes on Facebook, we may find ourselves posting uplifting articles or quotes that seek common ground where we can create more unity and good will in the world. Instead of seeing others as obstacles as we move through our day, we can remember our function and slow down and really see people – engage with them and know they, too, are God’s light in the world – even if they’re currently hiding that light under a bushel.
Remembering our function helps us see the world in the light of God – to recognize everyone as our Divine Sibling – even if they still deeply believe in the ego’s lie of separation. It only takes a few of us remembering our function as light and forgiveness in the world to make a difference and turn around the deadly egoic tribalism that seems to dominate our world.
We only see that separation as a reality because the separation still exists in our own minds. This lesson seeks to evict that thought from our heart and mind so that all we focus on is Love and unity. Once we have that firmly in mind, then Love and unity will surround us from the outside as well.
St. Teresa of Avila once advised us to “overthrow any government inside that makes you weep.” This is what we do when we remember our only function is the one God gave us.
St. Teresa writes:
“The child blames the external and focuses his energies there; the warrior conquers the realms within and becomes gifted.
“Only the inspired should make decisions that affect the lives of many, never a man who has not held God in his arms and become the servant of unity.”
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