LESSON 71 Only God’s plan for salvation will work.

1. 1You may not realize that the ego has set up a plan for salvation in opposition to God’s. 2It is this plan in which you believe. 3Since it is the opposite of God’s, you also believe that to accept God’s plan in place of the ego’s is to be damned. 4This sounds prepos­terous, of course. 5Yet after we have considered just what the ego’s plan is, perhaps you will realize that, however preposterous it may be, you do believe in it.

2. 1The ego’s plan for salvation centers around holding griev­ances. 2It maintains that, if someone else spoke or acted differ­ently, if some external circumstance or event were changed, you would be saved. 3Thus, the source of salvation is constantly per­ceived as outside yourself. 4Each grievance you hold is a declara­tion, and an assertion in which you believe, that says, “If this were different, I would be saved.” 5The change of mind necessary for salvation is thus demanded of everyone and everything except yourself.

3. 1The role assigned to your own mind in this plan, then, is simply to determine what, other than itself, must change if you are to be saved. 2According to this insane plan, any perceived source of salvation is acceptable provided that it will not work. 3This en­sures that the fruitless search will continue, for the illusion per­sists that, although this hope has always failed, there is still grounds for hope in other places and in other things. 4Another person will yet serve better; another situation will yet offer success.

4. 1Such is the ego’s plan for your salvation. 2Surely you can see how it is in strict accord with the ego’s basic doctrine, “Seek but do not find.” 3For what could more surely guarantee that you will not find salvation than to channelize all your efforts in search­ing for it where it is not?

5. 1God’s plan for salvation works simply because, by following His direction, you seek for salvation where it is. 2But if you are to succeed, as God promises you will, you must be willing to seek there only. 3Otherwise, your purpose is divided and you will at­tempt to follow two plans for salvation that are diametrically op­posed in all ways. 4The result can only bring confusion, misery and a deep sense of failure and despair.

6. 1How can you escape all this? 2Very simply. 3The idea for today is the answer. 4Only God’s plan for salvation will work. 5There can be no real conflict about this, because there is no possible alternative to God’s plan that will save you. 6His is the only plan that is certain in its outcome. 7His is the only plan that must succeed.

7. 1Let us practice recognizing this certainty today. 2And let us rejoice that there is an answer to what seems to be a conflict with no resolution possible. 3All things are possible to God. 4Salvation must be yours because of His plan, which cannot fail.

8. 1Begin the two longer practice periods for today by thinking about today’s idea, and realizing that it contains two parts, each making equal contribution to the whole. 2God’s plan for your salvation will work, and other plans will not. 3Do not allow your­self to become depressed or angry at the second part; it is inher­ent in the first. 4And in the first is your full release from all your own insane attempts and mad proposals to free yourself. 5They have led to depression and anger; but God’s plan will succeed. 6It will lead to release and joy.

9. 1Remembering this, let us devote the remainder of the extended practice periods to asking God to reveal His plan to us. 2Ask Him very specifically:

3What would You have me do?

4Where would You have me go?

5What would You have me say, and to whom?

6Give Him full charge of the rest of the practice period, and let Him tell you what needs to be done by you in His plan for your salvation. 7He will answer in proportion to your willingness to hear His Voice. 8Refuse not to hear. 9The very fact that you are doing the exercises proves that you have some willingness to lis­ten. 10This is enough to establish your claim to God’s answer.

10. 1In the shorter practice periods, tell yourself often that God’s plan for salvation, and only His, will work. 2Be alert to all temptation to hold grievances today, and respond to them with this form of today’s idea:

3Holding grievances is the opposite of God’s plan for salvation. 4And only His plan will work.

5Try to remember today’s idea some six or seven times an hour. 6There could be no better way to spend a half minute or less than to remember the Source of your salvation, and to see It where It is.