Lesson 328
I choose the second place to gain the first.
“There is no will but Yours. And I am glad that nothing I imagine contradicts what You would have me be. It is Your Will that I be wholly safe, eternally at peace. And happily I share that Will which You, my Father, gave as part of me” (ACIM Lesson 328 2:1-4).
Today’s statement is a good opportunity to litmus test the ego. The ego may read the affirmation and say, “But I don’t want to be second, I want to be first” or “Of course, I am always second. I am never chosen first, I never win anything, and I never come close to first place.” What inner dialogue transpired as you first glanced at the theme of Lesson 328? Perhaps, it was a variation of that stated above or maybe you heard the lingering of ancient words, “And the last shall be first…” Conceivably, you heard a mixture: a deep knowing that being “second” in this world leads to glory in the Real World, with the slight undertone of the ego’s opinion on what “success” means in this world. No matter the inner dialogue, as the ego is free to have its say, what is important is to read today’s lesson with the eyes of the Heart, which understands that God only knows the number 1.
To the untrained mind second place denotes lack, being left behind, being forgotten, not making the grade, failing, not being good enough, etc. Yet, we know that is neither our Truth nor God’s Will for us. In today’s lesson, second place simply means to let go of all the striving and efforting in a world that only brings about suffering. How often have you heard successful people say that after they have climbed their way to top to achieve “worldly success,” he or she still was not happy? A fellow brother of the light once shared with me a familiar story of how he had received a top award in his career. He was at a banquet to receive his “Golden Ticket” and just as he walked off the stage from accepting it, he thought to himself, “Damn. This isn’t IT. I’m still not happy.” How many of us can relate to such a moment in our search for IT, the “Golden Ticket?” Even in the movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, it was Charlie’s innocence and letting go of the elusive everlasting gobstopper that was his key to the Queendom, the Real Golden Ticket.”
Our “Golden Ticket” is not of this world and as we walk in God’s Will it may appear to an insane world that we are coming in “second.” Once you have tasted the ecstasy of Oneness, you know you lose nothing by releasing all efforting in this world and that there is never such a thing as “second place” in the Queendom. You come to know that in slowing down your pace to that of miracles and releasing all striving, you are gliding Home safely in first place.
Pace is an important aspect of today’s lesson. No longer do we get swept off our feet by the undertow of life. Rather, we flow with it. We take our pauses, become present, and easefully dance with life. It may look “lazy” to an insane world but what is really is, is peace. Today, walk in the miracle of where your Real Golden Ticket lies, with God, with You. Namaste.
