“The surface traits of God’s teachers are not at all alike.” They do not look alike to the body’s eyes, they come from vastly different backgrounds, their experiences of the world vary greatly, and their superficial “personalities” are quite distinct.

The teachers of God can come from the poorest area of town or the richest, from the depths of the African jungles to the heights of New York City. They can be simple folk, or well-educated in the world. They can have talent that everyone can see such as singer, speaker, etc., or their talents may appear more subtle. It does not matter who they were, or what they were doing, or even whether or not they wanted to answer the Call. That they DO answer It, that is what matters.

For some the Call is so strong, that they will leave everything behind to follow Him. For others, they will try to drag their current life along with them as they follow Him. Either way, one day, they will all be experienced teachers of God, saving time for the world along with other teachers.

At the beginning stages of their functioning as teachers of God, they have not as yet acquired the deeper characteristics that will establish them as what they are. Yet God gives special gifts to His teachers, because they have a special role in His plan for Atonement. “All abilities should therefore be given over to the Holy Spirit, Who understands how to use them properly.” (T-7.IV.4:1) Their specialness is, of course, only temporary; set in time as a means of leading out of time. All differences among the Sons of God are temporary.

These special gifts, born in the holy relationship toward which the teaching-learning situation is geared, become characteristic of all teachers of God who have advanced in their own learning. In this respect they are all alike.

What, then, are the gifts Jesus speaks of in this section of the Course? They are character traits. The special gifts God gives to His teachers, those who come near to Him, are gifts of character. They include Trust, Honesty, Tolerance, Gentleness, Joy, Defenselessness, Generosity, Patience, Faithfulness, and Open-Mindedness. We will look at each one of these with Him, so that we, too, may open to receive these gifts of God.

Jesus says: “I gave only love to the Kingdom because I believed that was what I was.” (T-7.I.5:1)

What you believe you are determines your gifts, and if God created you by extending Himself as you, you can only extend yourself as He did, using the power given you in your creation. You extend yourself by loving, and by teaching His Love. The eternally loving are in peace and joy forever. Only joy increases forever, since joy and eternity are inseparable. God extends outward beyond limits and beyond time, and you who are co-creator with Him extend His Kingdom forever and beyond limit. Every time you extend His love, you are co-creating with Him. You are His Son. You are as GOD IS.