This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Va. Beach, Va., this 30th day of July, 1933, in accordance with request by those present.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Esther Wynne, Florence & Edith Edmonds, Frances Y. Morrow, Mildred Davis, L. B. Cayce and - visitors - Misses Barclay and Wisman.

TEXT

1. GC: You will have before you the Norfolk Study Group #1, members of which are present in this room, and their work on the lesson Opportunity. You will answer the questions which will be asked by individuals and the group as a whole.
2. EC: Yes, we have the group as a group, and individuals as members of the group; and their work in preparation of the lesson Opportunity.
3. In making the outline, and in the definitions that have been presented, rather should there also be given that, while opportunity is in the sense as presented, yet it must ever be considered as the material manifestation of a thought or spiritual ideal; as it is sometimes quoted, that "Man's extremity is God's opportunity."
4. In man's advent into a material world is an opportunity for the material manifestation of that which is builded by the individual soul through its activity in the various spheres of consciousness, and in the material becomes the opportunity of paralleling, correlating, cooperating, making for that which brings into existence the effects of using that which is presented in opportunity for the developing of the soul.
5. Hence opportunity, primarily, is a material manifestation of spiritual actions in conscious forces of the material plane.
6. Ready for questions.
7. (Q) Any other corrections or suggestions that may be necessary in the outlines for the lesson, a copy of which I hold in my hand?
   (A) Do these, and then we can progress.
8. (Q) [585]: What is my definite part or work in this group?
   (A) First, as given, finding self and self's relationship to the Creative Forces. Each and every soul must come to the consciousness of being a service in the activities of that it, the soul, worships in the infinite sphere or spiritual force.
   If the forces or influences are in the Creative Energies that arise through the love manifested through the Son in the activity in the earth, then it is shown thee day by day that thou shouldst do.
   Do with a might what the hands find to do, in the service of the Lord; not in self, not in gratification of self, not in magnifying any of the material influences or forces.
   The fruits of the Spirit are rather as we have shown: Brotherly love, kindness, mercy, patience, love, long- suffering. Against such there is no law, for they ARE the law of love.
9. (Q) As I call each individual to you, you will give the name by which He will call each; also telling each that special opportunity which each is called upon individually to take advantage of at this time.
   (A) Rather than as individuals seeking the name, when the individual is called each shall be called by name, even as He called Mary, Martha and Peter.
   In seeking to know that opportunity that is given each in the present, it is one thing to live that there may be presented to another that which will open another's opportunity; and it is for SELF to recognize and use the opportunity in self's own development.
   But know, as each has been called, that there will come the GREATER opportunity in self's development, self's understanding, in preparing that which is for the enlightenment of thine neighbor.
   For, as He gave, let him know that has saved a soul from perdition that he has covered a multitude of sins in self.
   Study then, EACH, to show self approved unto God, RIGHTLY dividing the words of truth.
   Let the meditations of the heart, let those activities of the body, bespeak that thou wouldst offer in self as an opportunity or channel for another to seek, to know, thy God.
   For, if thine God, thine service, doeth not thee good day by day, how wilt thou present Him to another?
   For, the life of self bespeaks the thoughts of the heart; and each shall so live that He, the Christ, becomes the Opportunity for all who meet thee - whether at the table, in sleep, or walking in the street. For, where the treasure is the heart is also.
10. We are through for the present.

BACKGROUND

1. Subject of Reading 262-50 - "Norfolk Study Group #1."

Edgar Cayce Readings © 1971, 1993, 1994, 1995 by the Edgar Cayce Foundation