Lesson 356
Sickness is but another name for sin.
Healing is but another name for God.
The miracle is thus a call to Him.
“Father, You promised You would never fail to answer any call Your Son might make to You. It does not matter where he is, what seems to be his problem, nor what he believes he has become. He is Your Son, and You will answer him. The miracle reflects Your Love, and thus it answers him. Your Name replaces every thought of sin, and who is sinless cannot suffer pain. Your Name gives answer to Your Son, because to call Your Name is but to call his own” (ACIM Lesson 356 1:1-6)
The miracle is, if for only an instant, wondering if there is something more. It is in our pursuit for “more” that we turn and call to God. We know there must be a different way beyond suffering, and it is in that moment’s pause that we turn slightly from the mad world and begin to call to Her name. In turn, She gladly answers.
Today, heavenly music fills the air inspired by this particular lesson. It has been brought to my attention that God has been singing to us throughout the years reminding us of Her eternal love and holy devotion. As we speak of healing prayers and the miracle of calling God’s name, the song, “Unanswered Prayers,” by Garth Brooks comes to mind. It is a song about a man reflecting on how his life turned out perfectly because of the “unanswered prayers” of a teenage heart, finding that, “Some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.” God, indeed, answers every prayer, even “no answer” is an answer, as often God’s reply doesn’t look anything like what we were asking for or were expecting. Yet, our prayers are always answered in a way that offers the greatest good to all, and in truth, that is the ultimate prayer, to release everything to God and to allow what follows to be in the highest interest for All. If we are honest, when we pause and reflect on all those “unanswered prayers,” aren’t we always grateful that things didn’t work out according to our will, but rather Thy Will?
Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
Remember when you’re talkin’ to the man upstairs
That just because he doesn’t answer doesn’t mean he don’t care
Some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers
God promises Her utter devotion to your journey. Should you call, She will be there because She has never left you at all. Your call is merely the miracle of you returning you gaze back to the Light. Bon Jovi, in the love ballad “I’ll Be There For You,” states the words God whispers to your heart, “I’ll be there for you, these five words I swear to you.” Yes, in those five words lies God’s guarantee, and as Bon Jovi later sings, “words can’t say what love can do,”…that is very true, as there is no problem too big or too small for Love. God is a devoted companion on our journey Home. Her love is the healing balm to any lover’s ballad, to any lover’s wish for more, and to any lover’s desire to making healing her permanent Home.
I’ll be there for you
These five words I swear to you
When you breathe I want to be the air for you
I’ll be there for you
I’d live and I’d die for you
I’d steal the sun from the sky for you
Words can’t say what love can do
I’ll be there for you
In addition to musical (Her)story, God’s holy reminder has also been laced throughout pop culture. If you look closely one can’t help but be in awe of the perfection in how God is constantly communicating with us and reminding us of our healed hearts and Her unfailing love. Take for example the opening song by The Rembrandts, “I’ll Be There For You,” for the hit television series, Friends. A fun, catchy tune reminding us again of those five words…
I’ll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I’ll be there for you
(Like I’ve been there before)
I’ll be there for you
(‘Cause you’re there for me too)
And just before the popularity of Friends, we were reminded of such an abiding love with the powerful voice of Mariah Carey with her version of The Jackson 5’s, “I’ll Be There.” A song reminding us of a “love so strong,” that is waiting to heal us and fill us up with “joy and laughter.”
You and I must make a pact
We must bring salvation back,
Where there is love, I’ll be there. (I’ll be there)
I’ll reach out my hand to you
I’ll have faith in all you do.
Just call my name and I’ll be there. (I’ll be there)
I’ll be there to comfort you,
Build my world of dreams around you,
I’m so glad that I found you.
I’ll be there with a love so strong,
I’ll be your strength,
You know I’ll keep holdin’ on.
Let me fill your heart with joy and laughter,
Togetherness, well it’s all I’m after,
Just call my name, and I’ll be there. (I’ll be there)
Next, we move on to the illustrious Carole King, who reminds us of the simplicity of just calling Her name. That is all we must do and She will be there, “winter, spring, summer, or fall…”
You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I’ll come runnin’ to see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I’ll be there
You’ve got a friend
And lastly, as we bring today’s musical lesson to a close, The Four Tops, point to us of “a love that will shelter you” and “a love that will see you through,” in their 1967 hit, “Reach Out I’ll Be There.”
Now if you feel that you can’t go on (can’t go on)
Because all of your hope is gone (all your hope is gone)
And your life is filled with much confusion (much confusion)
Until happiness is just an illusion (happiness is just an illusion)
And your world around is crumbling down, darlin’
(Reach out) Come on girl reach on out for me
(Reach out) Reach out for me
Hah, I’ll be there with a love that will shelter you
I’ll be there with a love that will see you through
This holy conversation is everywhere as answered prayers. Today, it just so happened to come through musically but the message is the same, just call Her name and She will be there. That is the holy miracle. Namaste.
