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− | I am entrusted with the gifts of God. | + | I am entrusted with the gifts of [[God]]. |
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− | All things are given you. God's trust in you is limitless. He knows His Son. | + | [[All things]] are given you. God's [[trust]] in you is limitless. He knows His Son. |
| He gives without exception, holding nothing back that can contribute to | | He gives without exception, holding nothing back that can contribute to |
− | your happiness. And yet, unless your will is one with His, His gifts are not | + | your [[happiness]]. And yet, unless your will is one with His, His gifts are not |
− | received. But what would make you think there is another will than His? | + | [[received]]. But what would make you think there is another will than His? |
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− | Here is the paradox that underlies the making of the world. This world is | + | Here is the [[paradox]] that underlies the making of the world. This world is |
− | not the Will of God, and so it is not real. Yet those who think it real must | + | not the [[Will of God]], and so it is not real. Yet those who think it real must |
− | still believe there is another will, and one that leads to opposite effects from | + | still [[believe]] there is another will, and one that leads to opposite effects from |
− | those He wills. Impossible indeed; but every mind that looks upon the world | + | those He wills. Impossible indeed; but every [[mind]] that looks upon the world |
− | and judges it as certain, solid, trustworthy and true believes in two creators; | + | and [[judges]] it as certain, solid, trustworthy and true believes in two creators; |
| or in one, himself alone. But never in one God. | | or in one, himself alone. But never in one God. |
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| The gifts of God are not acceptable to anyone who holds such strange | | The gifts of God are not acceptable to anyone who holds such strange |
− | beliefs. He must believe that to accept God's gifts, however evident they | + | [[beliefs]]. He must believe that to [[accept]] God's gifts, however evident they |
− | may become, however urgently he may be called to claim them as his own, | + | may [[become]], however urgently he may be called to claim them as his own, |
− | is to be pressed to treachery against himself. He must deny their presence, | + | is to be pressed to [[treachery]] against himself. He must deny their [[presence]], |
− | contradict the truth, and suffer to preserve the world he made. | + | contradict the [[truth]], and suffer to preserve the world he made. |
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− | Here is the only home he thinks he knows. Here is the only safety he | + | Here is the only [[home]] he thinks he knows. Here is the only safety he |
− | believes that he can find. Without the world he made is he an outcast; | + | believes that he can find. Without the world he made is he an [[outcast]]; |
− | homeless and afraid. He does not realize that it is here he is afraid indeed, | + | [[homeless]] and afraid. He does not [[realize]] that it is here he is afraid indeed, |
− | and homeless, too; an outcast wandering so far from home, so long away, he | + | and homeless, too; an outcast [[wandering]] so far from home, so long away, he |
| does not realize he has forgotten where he came from, where he goes, and | | does not realize he has forgotten where he came from, where he goes, and |
| even who he really is. | | even who he really is. |
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− | Yet in his lonely, senseless wanderings, God's gifts go with him, all | + | Yet in his lonely, senseless [[wanderings]], God's gifts go with him, all |
| unknown to him. He cannot lose them. But he will not look at what is given | | unknown to him. He cannot lose them. But he will not look at what is given |
| him. He wanders on, aware of the futility he sees about him everywhere, | | him. He wanders on, aware of the futility he sees about him everywhere, |
− | perceiving how his little lot but dwindles, as he goes ahead to nowhere. Still | + | [[perceiving]] how his little lot but dwindles, as he goes ahead to nowhere. Still |
− | he wanders on in misery and poverty, alone though God is with him, and a | + | he wanders on in misery and [[poverty]], alone though God is with him, and a |
− | treasure his so great that everything the world contains is valueless before | + | treasure his so great that [[everything]] the world contains is valueless before |
| its magnitude. | | its magnitude. |
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− | He seems a sorry figure; weary, worn, in threadbare clothing, and with feet | + | He seems a sorry figure; [[weary]], worn, in threadbare clothing, and with feet |
− | that bleed a little from the rocky road he walks. No one but has identified | + | that bleed a little from the rocky road he walks. No one but has [[identified]] |
− | with him, for everyone who comes here has pursued the path he follows, | + | with him, for everyone who comes here has pursued the [[path]] he follows, |
− | and has felt defeat and hopelessness as he is feeling them. Yet is he really | + | and has felt [[defeat]] and hopelessness as he is [[feeling]] them. Yet is he really |
− | tragic, when you see that he is following the way he chose, and need but | + | [[tragic]], when you see that he is following the way he chose, and need but |
| realize Who walks with him and open up his treasures to be free? | | realize Who walks with him and open up his treasures to be free? |
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− | This is your chosen self, the one you made as a replacement for reality. This | + | This is your chosen [[self]], the one you made as a replacement for [[reality]]. This |
− | is the self you savagely defend against all reason, every evidence, and all | + | is the [[self]] you savagely [[defend]] against all [[reason]], every evidence, and all |
− | the witnesses with proof to show this is not you. You heed them not. You | + | the witnesses with [[proof]] to show this is not you. You heed them not. You |
| go on your appointed way, with eyes cast down lest you might catch a | | go on your appointed way, with eyes cast down lest you might catch a |
− | glimpse of truth, and be released from self-deception and set free. | + | glimpse of truth, and be released from self-[[deception]] and set free. |
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− | You cower fearfully lest you should feel Christ's touch upon your shoulder, | + | You cower fearfully lest you should feel Christ's [[touch]] upon your shoulder, |
− | and perceive His gentle hand directing you to look upon your gifts. How | + | and perceive His [[gentle]] hand directing you to look upon your gifts. How |
− | could you then proclaim your poverty in exile? He would make you laugh at | + | could you then proclaim your poverty in [[exile]]? He would make you [[laugh]] at |
− | this perception of yourself. Where is self-pity then? And what becomes of | + | this perception of yourself. Where is self-[[pity]] then? And what becomes of |
| all the tragedy you sought to make for him whom God intended only joy? | | all the tragedy you sought to make for him whom God intended only joy? |
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− | Your ancient fear has come upon you now, and justice has caught up with | + | Your ancient [[fear]] has come upon you now, and [[justice]] has caught up with |
− | you at last. Christ's hand has touched your shoulder, and you feel that you | + | you at last. Christ's hand has [[touched]] your shoulder, and you feel that you |
− | are not alone. You even think the miserable self you thought was you may | + | are not [[Loneliness|alone]]. You even think the miserable self you thought was you may |
− | not be your Identity. Perhaps God's Word is truer than your own. Perhaps | + | not be your [[Identity]]. Perhaps God's Word is truer than your own. Perhaps |
| His gifts to you are real. Perhaps He has not wholly been outwitted by your | | His gifts to you are real. Perhaps He has not wholly been outwitted by your |
− | plan to keep His Son in deep oblivion, and go the way you chose without | + | plan to keep His Son in deep [[oblivion]], and go the way you chose without |
− | your Self. | + | [[your Self]]. |
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− | God's Will does not oppose. It merely is. It is not God you have imprisoned | + | [[God's Will]] does not oppose. It merely is. It is not God you have [[imprisoned]] |
− | in your plan to lose your Self. He does not know about a plan so alien to His | + | in your plan to lose your [[Self]]. He does not know about a plan so alien to His |
− | Will. There was a need He did not understand, to which He gave an | + | Will. There was a need He did not [[understand]], to which He gave an |
| Answer. That is all. And you who have this Answer given you have need no | | Answer. That is all. And you who have this Answer given you have need no |
| more of anything but this. | | more of anything but this. |
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− | Now do we live, for now we cannot die. The wish for death is answered, | + | Now do we live, for now we cannot die. The wish for [[death]] is answered, |
− | and the sight that looked upon it now has been replaced by vision which | + | and the [[sight]] that looked upon it now has been replaced by vision which |
− | perceives that you are not what you pretend to be. One walks with you Who | + | [[perceives]] that you are not what you pretend to be. One walks with you Who |
| gently answers all your fears with this one merciful reply, "It is not so." He | | gently answers all your fears with this one merciful reply, "It is not so." He |
− | points to all the gifts you have each time the thought of poverty oppresses | + | points to all the gifts you have each time the [[thought]] of poverty oppresses |
− | you, and speaks of His Companionship when you perceive yourself as | + | you, and speaks of His [[Companionship]] when you perceive yourself as |
| lonely and afraid. | | lonely and afraid. |
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− | Yet He reminds you still of one thing more you had forgotten. For His touch | + | Yet He reminds you still of one thing more you had forgotten. For His [[touch]] |
| on you has made you like Himself. The gifts you have are not for you alone. | | on you has made you like Himself. The gifts you have are not for you alone. |
− | What He has come to offer you, you now must learn to give. This is the | + | What He has come to offer you, you now must [[learn]] to give. This is the |
− | lesson that His giving holds, for He has saved you from the solitude you | + | lesson that His giving holds, for He has saved you from the [[solitude]] you |
| sought to make in which to hide from God. He has reminded you of all the | | sought to make in which to hide from God. He has reminded you of all the |
| gifts that God has given you. He speaks as well of what becomes your will | | gifts that God has given you. He speaks as well of what becomes your will |
− | when you accept these gifts, and recognize they are your own. | + | when you [[accept]] these gifts, and recognize they are your own. |
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| The gifts are yours, entrusted to your care, to give to all who chose the | | The gifts are yours, entrusted to your care, to give to all who chose the |
− | lonely road you have escaped. They do not understand they but pursue their | + | [[lonely]] road you have [[escaped]]. They do not [[understand]] they but pursue their |
| wishes. It is you who teach them now. For you have learned of Christ there | | wishes. It is you who teach them now. For you have learned of Christ there |
| is another way for them to walk. Teach them by showing them the | | is another way for them to walk. Teach them by showing them the |
− | happiness that comes to those who feel the touch of Christ, and recognize | + | [[happiness]] that comes to those who feel the touch of Christ, and recognize |
− | God's gifts. Let sorrow not tempt you to be unfaithful to your trust. | + | God's gifts. Let sorrow not [[tempt]] you to be unfaithful to your [[trust]]. |
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− | Your sighs will now betray the hopes of those who look to you for their | + | Your [[sighs]] will now [[betray]] the hopes of those who look to you for their |
− | release. Your tears are theirs. If you are sick, you but withhold their healing. | + | release. Your [[tears]] are theirs. If you are sick, you but withhold their [[healing]]. |
− | What you fear but teaches them their fears are justified. Your hand becomes | + | What you fear but teaches them their fears are [[justified]]. Your hand becomes |
− | the giver of Christ's touch; your change of mind becomes the proof that who | + | the giver of Christ's touch; your [[change]] of [[mind]] becomes the [[proof]] that who |
| accepts God's gifts can never suffer anything. You are entrusted with the | | accepts God's gifts can never suffer anything. You are entrusted with the |
− | world's release from pain. | + | world's release from [[pain]]. |
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− | Betray it not. Become the living proof of what Christ's touch can offer | + | Betray it not. Become the living [[proof]] of what Christ's touch can offer |
− | everyone. God has entrusted all His gifts to you. Be witness in your | + | everyone. God has entrusted all His gifts to you. Be [[witness]] in your |
− | happiness to how transformed the mind becomes which chooses to accept | + | [[happiness]] to how [[transformed]] the mind [[becomes]] which [[chooses]] to accept |
− | His gifts, and feel the touch of Christ. Such is your mission now. For God | + | His gifts, and feel the touch of Christ. Such is your [[mission]] now. For God |
− | entrusts the giving of His gifts to all who have received them. He has shared | + | entrusts the giving of His gifts to all who have [[received]] them. He has [[shared]] |
| His joy with you. And now you go to share it with the world. | | His joy with you. And now you go to share it with the world. |
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| [[Category: Workbook I]] | | [[Category: Workbook I]] |