Lessons In Truth by Emilie Cady, Chapter 11
It is a well-known fact that people who have never considered spirituality to be an integral part of their lives will turn to God in moments of failure, weakness, desperation. Whether people are willing to voice it aloud or not, most will turn in their desperation to a power that admittedly is greater than themselves. It doesn't really matter what they choose to call this power. It is only their awareness of it that matters.
Many will seek God or Truth because of the return they imagine will be theirs. Recall the "loaves and the fishes" when Jesus multiplied the bounty. Also, recall John 14:12: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do."
Emilie Cady stresses that the gift of healing, which has often been highlighted as the indicator of a successful spiritual life, is not the only spiritual gift available to each of us. After all, God is limitless. Unfortunately, the failure by many seekers of Truth to heal their own bodies has caused them to forsake the journey. This is a mistake. The journey each of us is on is unique. It does not follow the same path as another's. Your lack of physical healing may well offer you the lessons you require for God to lead you upward.
The primary focus in our spiritual journey, says Ms. Cady, is to grow into such conscious oneness with God that we abide in the realization that He, who is the substance of all good, lives in us.
She cautions against judging oneself as a loser if you are unable to manifest as you once were. Step back, and recognize that your journey is not about the "rewards," the branches of the vine. It is about staying focused on the vine, the source. Let go of the lesser so that you may grasp the greater purpose of your life.
Each of us is a vessel for some purpose, and as Paul said, no gift is greater than another because all come from God. [Read I Corinthians, chapters 12 and 13]
Here it is best to iterate Cady's words:
"Seek to be filled with Spirit, to have the reality of things, incarnated in larger degree in your consciousness. Spirit will reveal to your understanding you own specific gift, or the manner of God's desired manifestation through you.
Let us not desert our own work, our own Good within us, to gaze or pattern after our neighbor. Let us not seek to make his gift ours; let us not criticize his failure to manifest any specific gift. Whenever he 'fails,' give thanks to God that He is leading him into a higher place, where there can be a fuller and more complete manifestation of the divine Presence through him.
And 'I ... beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.'[Ephesians 4:1-3]"
Many will seek God or Truth because of the return they imagine will be theirs. Recall the "loaves and the fishes" when Jesus multiplied the bounty. Also, recall John 14:12: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do."
Emilie Cady stresses that the gift of healing, which has often been highlighted as the indicator of a successful spiritual life, is not the only spiritual gift available to each of us. After all, God is limitless. Unfortunately, the failure by many seekers of Truth to heal their own bodies has caused them to forsake the journey. This is a mistake. The journey each of us is on is unique. It does not follow the same path as another's. Your lack of physical healing may well offer you the lessons you require for God to lead you upward.
The primary focus in our spiritual journey, says Ms. Cady, is to grow into such conscious oneness with God that we abide in the realization that He, who is the substance of all good, lives in us.
She cautions against judging oneself as a loser if you are unable to manifest as you once were. Step back, and recognize that your journey is not about the "rewards," the branches of the vine. It is about staying focused on the vine, the source. Let go of the lesser so that you may grasp the greater purpose of your life.
Each of us is a vessel for some purpose, and as Paul said, no gift is greater than another because all come from God. [Read I Corinthians, chapters 12 and 13]
Here it is best to iterate Cady's words:
"Seek to be filled with Spirit, to have the reality of things, incarnated in larger degree in your consciousness. Spirit will reveal to your understanding you own specific gift, or the manner of God's desired manifestation through you.
Let us not desert our own work, our own Good within us, to gaze or pattern after our neighbor. Let us not seek to make his gift ours; let us not criticize his failure to manifest any specific gift. Whenever he 'fails,' give thanks to God that He is leading him into a higher place, where there can be a fuller and more complete manifestation of the divine Presence through him.
And 'I ... beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.'[Ephesians 4:1-3]"