The way to God is through forgiveness here. There is no other way. If sin had not been cherished by the mind, what need would there have been to find a way to where you are? Who would still be uncertain? Who could be unsure of who he is? And who would yet remain asleep in heavy clouds of doubt about the holiness of him who God created sinless? Here we can but dream. But we can dream we have forgiven him in whom all sin remains impossible, and it is this we choose to dream today. God is our goal; forgiveness is the means by which our minds return to Him at last.
And so, our Father, would we come to You in Your appointed way. We have no goal except to hear Your Voice, and find the way Your sacred Word has pointed out to us.
✨ Summary & practice
God is your only goal, forgiveness is the path.
After choosing perfect peace (lesson 255), this lesson clarifies the direction of your life. In the curriculum, it is a necessary realignment. You have so many goals in life: career, family, developing talents, helping others. But this lesson reminds you that God is the only true goal, and forgiveness is the only path that leads there. Everything else is merely a detour. Understanding this simplifies everything.
The central idea is liberating in its clarity. The path to God leads through forgiveness. There is no other way. If sin had not been cherished by the mind, no path would have been needed. Here, in the dream of the world, you can only dream. But you can dream that you have forgiven the one in whom all sin is impossible. God is your goal; forgiveness is the means by which your mind finally returns to Him. You have no other goal than to hear His Voice.
This lesson builds on the choice of perfect peace (255) and prepares lessons 257–259 on remembering the goal. It connects with all the previous work on forgiveness since lesson 247. Forgiveness is not just a pleasant practice, it is the one and only path to God. The following lessons will emphasize the importance of not forgetting this goal amid the world’s distractions.
Practically today, each time you engage in an activity, ask yourself: 'Does this action bring me closer to God through forgiveness?' If you are working, ask if you can do it with a spirit of forgiveness. If you are speaking to someone, ask if your words come from forgiveness. If you are alone, check whether your thoughts are rooted in forgiveness. Bring everything back to this one goal. Simplify your life around this single direction.
You have only one goal, but you have all the time and every means to reach it. Forgiveness is your path, God is your destination. Walk with confidence.
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