As a long time student/teacher of A Course in Miracles, I had heard of the story about Bill Thetford wanting to hear the Voice of Jesus the same way Helen Schucman heard it.
The way I heard the story is that Bill asked Helen to ask Jesus what he should do. The way I heard it is that Jesus told Helen to tell Bill that he should start every day with the words “Lord, here I am.”
Well, this is not exactly the way the story actually happened, as I just found out this morning.
This morning I happened to open up the book Absence from Felicity by Ken Wapnick and it landed on the exact page that tells the story of this incident. Ken writes: “The idea of Helen’s asking help for Bill (and others) remained an important issue for her.”
Below are Helen’s notes about what actually happened with this “Lord, here I am” story – this is Jesus speaking.
I LOVE this – because this is precisely and exactly what I have a tendency to do – get part of the answer and then disconnect and stop listening. Then I decide I can figure out the rest myself. Jesus says concentration and confidence are needed.
So this isn’t really a message for Bill Thetford. It’s a message for me.
And perhaps it’s a message for you if you have been frustrated with not being able to consistently and clearly hear God’s Voice.
Enjoy!
Jesus to Helen: I can’t answer where he (Bill) asks amiss. When he asks right I have answered. He has a tendency to get part of the answer and decide himself when to disconnect. He should ask if that’s all. Since I don’t know when he’s going to ring off I have to be very short and even cryptic. It chops messages up too much.
There is also interference from three major areas:
1. He doesn’t have much real confidence that I will get through. He never just claims his rights. He should begin with much more confidence. I’ll keep my promises, but you (Helen) do not act as if you really expect him to …
2. He has to learn better concentration. His mind flits about too much for good communication. Suggest a very short phrase like “Here I am Lord” and don’t think of ANYTHING else. Just pull in your mind slowly from everywhere else and center it on these words. This will also him the realization that he (Bill) really IS here. He’s not too sure.
3. Tell him to be sure not to mistake your (Helen’s) role. If he overreacts to or over evaluates you as a person, both of you will be in danger (from your own guilt)
I would love to hear from you! Please post in the comment area below. What’s your listening practice? How is your concentration? How is your confidence (that God is with you and that’s God’s Voice will get through)? Do you stay quiet long enough to receive the whole message? Or do have a tendency like Bill to “disconnect” and “ring off”?