Following Guidance
To follow one’s Inner Wisdom is the most important aspect of our spirituality that we can strengthen. We have the Divine Power within us, it is choosing to ask for the Guidance, be willing to receive, see the peace and consistency that flows from it, and stand our ground in our Guidance that is received.
Recently I received a communication from someone who was insisting what my guidance SHOULD be rather than what it actually WAS in a certain situation that I was dealing with. This situation was in relation to the person who corresponded with me. This person was rather upset that I would not change my mind from the Insight that I had received. The upset was that I was following my Guidance and not theirs. I had explained it in my response to the communication. I can see that it is easy to get caught up in the ego and the ego’s reactions. It is just as easy to be caught up in a severe attachment to the outcome, including trying to control another by subtle manipulation. Isn’t that the ego’s realm? Expectations bring out the best of those hidden resentments.
With this communication to this person, and I know my mind still can find this baffling, I had explained very clearly, that when I need to make a decision no matter what it is that I do take the time to step back with Holy Spirit, pray and meditate and follow what He would have me do. It isn’t just “talk” I do “walk the talk.” And of course as in the “Rules for Decision” in ACIM, “Today I will make no decisions by myself.” My intention is always not to follow my plan but God’s plan and so I go to the quiet.
This was totally unacceptable to this person, surprising, considering that this person was a Course student as well. And, also knew me pretty well too as a teacher one of my main focuses it that I share how important it is for me to be still and enter into that sacred sanctuary, joining in holy expectation, and receiving Holy Spirit’s Wisdom.
So as I contemplated on this a little more, as I did so I started to hear the first lines from the Manual for Teachers in a section entitled, “How is Judgment Relinquished?”
Specifically I recalled, “Remember how many times you thought you knew all the “facts” you needed for judgment, and how wrong you were!”
So I could see that this person was believing that they knew all the facts in the situation and that I had to be wrong because their guidance wouldn’t make the decision that I had made in this situation. With this, they were obviously irritated by my decision and of course they want me to change my mind and JUST DO something to remedy the situation. I was wrong in their eyes, actually it seemed that no matter what I did or said I was still wrong in their eyes.
Mmmm…but my inner guidance did make the decision that I made which just happened to be in opposition to this person’s guidance. Does it mean it was wrong? Not necessarily. It does not matter what is said externally, it is always internally where I need to go. Is the guidance consistent? With a situation such as this, I can be reminded myself to not fall prey to the ego in insisting what another’s guidance should be and that I am always right. That certainly is not happy. I learn not to hold any expectations. It also shows me that I need to stay true to my own Guidance. Stand firm. No wavering. Trust in the guidance received. It is not for me to judge the Guidance for it is the Holy Spirit’s job to bestow the Guidance on me based on His Own Judgment. Follow it and I shall see what is true.
When I receive Wisdom and listen to it and subsequently follow it:
Does it feel peaceful? Yes, then I know I have trusted in God’s strength and not my own.
Does it matter what another does or thinks in response? Not if I have trusted in God strength and not my own.
What if I am attacked for my decision made with the Holy Spirit? Well, then I can stand steadfastly in God and hold the person in the utmost Light.
The rest of the paragraph in the Manual for Teachers I quoted above is:
“Remember how many times you thought you knew all the “facts” you needed for judgment, and how wrong you were! Is there anyone who has not had this experience? Would you know how many times you merely thought you were right, without ever realizing you were wrong? Why would you choose such an arbitrary basis for decision making? Wisdom is not judgment; it is the relinquishment of judgment. Make then but one more judgment. It is this: There is Someone with you Whose judgment is perfect. He does know all the facts; past, present and to come. He does know all the effects of His judgment on everyone and everything involved in any way. And He is wholly fair to everyone, for there is no distortion in His perception.”
Thank God that the Holy Spirit is perfect! I need do nothing but trust in Him. He sees the big picture. I cannot see anything from my small perspective. Trust in Him and I am safe.
With this, I can never be “wrong” because Heaven’s Help is the One making the decision. The Course tells me to ask the Holy Spirit, “to decide for me.” When I surrender to the Truth, the Truth does set me free. Freedom to be Who I am. Freedom to Love and accept Peace into my life. And this is the glorious feeling of following Guidance.
Peace,
Rev. Deb PhelpsShare