by Beverly McNeff

“I will there be light,” (W-73) the thought in MDC’s worldwide prayer ministry for May, is a powerful lesson from A Course in Miracles to fill our minds with as the world goes through such darkness. It affirms our strength in the midst of whatever may be occurring in our lives or world. It reasserts the truth instead of wringing our hands over how powerless we have made ourselves. All the ego’s bullying cannot withstand the light of truth. It is time we reaffirm our truth as we say with conviction,

“I will there be light. Darkness is not my will.”

The Course knows we “believe” in our illusions of darkness. As this lesson tells us, it is “the ego’s idle wishes, out of which darkness and nothingness arise.” Even if, in truth, this world of form is not real, we clearly believe in it, or it would not be here. The goal is not to bemoan the world or beat ourselves up for not being able to escape it, but to focus on the answer: Light!

When we call upon light, we call upon a vision that can miraculously lift the veil of darkness, of the illusions that are so pervasive. It calls upon the vision of Christ that can move us to new insights of peace and healing that we can extend into our world. To call upon light is to call upon the power of forgiveness to transcend the world of guilt, because a world of darkness and lies cannot live in the light. In the light of clarity, darkness is seen for the senseless whim it has always been. Not a suitable home for the Son of God.

Now, even though the world of nothingness is a senseless whim made from the ego’s idle wishes to replace the power of creation, these wishes “are not idle in the sense that they can make a world of illusions in which your belief can be very strong.”

This is most clearly seen in our experiences in this physical world. You are probably reading this article on a computer or a phone, you might be wearing glasses to see more clearly, and you probably just took a breath. This is part of the ego’s idle wishes, but it is not said so we feel guilt; quite the opposite. We need to put all illusions in perspective and allow light, the vision of Christ, to use them to lead us out of our illusions. Even though our bodies are not the truth of who we are, they are a persistent illusion that we can use to reassert the power of our minds.

“The body is merely part of your experience in the physical world. Its abilities can be and frequently are over-evaluated. However, it is almost impossible to deny its existence in this world. Those who do so are engaging in a particularly unworthy form of denial. The term ‘unworthy’ here implies only that it is not necessary to protect the mind by denying the unmindful. If one denies this unfortunate aspect of the mind’s power, one is also denying the power itself.” (T-2.IV.3)

Therefore, we must look at the darkness we have made. We are not victims of the world we see; this world is of our making. And, as we have made this world of darkness, we can also use this same power to be bringers of light. Our minds may be valuing the valueless, but we can train our minds to think another way, to think with God. But to do so, we must understand what we have done and decide we no longer want to be in the hell of our own making.

“Your picture of the world can only mirror what is within. The source of neither light nor darkness can be found without. Grievances darken your mind, and you look out on a darkened world. Forgiveness lifts the darkness, reasserts your will, and lets you look upon a world of light. We have repeatedly emphasized that the barrier of grievances is easily passed, and cannot stand between you and your salvation. The reason is very simple. Do you really want to be in hell? Do you really want to weep and suffer and die?”

It is time we accept our power…to project the insanity of this world or to extend the healing answer of light, forgiveness. It is time we accept a healing plan for our lives. God’s Helper, the Holy Spirit, awaits our little willingness to offer us the salvation our hearts yearn for…

“We will succeed today if you remember that you want salvation for yourself. You want to accept God’s plan because you share in it. You have no will that can really oppose it, and you do not want to do so. Salvation is for you. Above all else, you want the freedom to remember who you really are. Today it is the ego that stands powerless before your will. Your will is free, and nothing can prevail against it.”

So let us accept His plan for salvation as we affirm,

“I will there be light. Let me behold the light that reflects God’s Will and mine.”

It is time we leave darkness behind. The dark thoughts of weakness, fear, anger, and grievances have no place in the mind of a Son of God. Our power is in light, the awareness of God’s Will for us. It is time we join in this Will, rather than a victim mentality that keeps us unaware of the mighty power that walks with us.

Let us call upon our power in whatever we are going through, whether it is a grievance, a fear thought, a physical or personal challenge, or a concern about others. Say:

“I will there be light. Darkness is not my will.”
“This cannot hide the light I will to see.” (W-87.2)
“In the light this will look different.” (W-87.2)
“I will there be light. Darkness is not my will.”

Most importantly, let us remember that calling upon the light of truth in the darkness of the world is not foolish or wishful thinking; it is powerful and, yes, miraculous! Do not let your ego diminish this thought. The light in you can transform this world, right now, because it reflects the Will of God and your will as well.

“I will there be light. Let me behold the light that reflects God’s Will and mine.”

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NOTE: All quotes, unless otherwise noted, are from Lesson 73 of A Course in Miracles