This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Virginia, this 20th day of August, 1933, in accordance with request made by those present.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Minnie and C. A. Barrett, Esther Wynne, Florence and Edith Mildred Edmonds, Hugh Lynn Cayce, Mildred Mary Davis, L. B. Cayce, Mr. & Mrs. H. B. Harrell, Jr., Mrs. H. B. Harrell, Sr., and Dr. S. A. Bisey.

TEXT

1. GC: You will have before you Norfolk Study Group #1, members of which are present in this room; also their work on the lesson, Opportunity. We present a copy of the preparation so far, a copy of which I hold in my hand, and seek guidance in completing this lesson. You will answer the questions that may be asked:
2. EC: Yes, we have the group as gathered here; as a group, as individuals, and their work thus far on the lesson Opportunity.
3. In that which has been thus far presented, each individual in its own way is finding the consciousness of opportunity. And the lessons that may be presented from such individuals may be made worthwhile in the experience of those who seek to understand opportunity from the view that has been presented, in that opportunity itself - of the spiritual activity in the experience of individuals - comes to materialization in what the individual does respecting that the individual holds as the spiritual activity of such an experience as related to ITS ideal.
4. Hence all should study more and more the experiences, in a manner analyzing the experience that each - as an individual cooperating with the Group - may present for others that may be helpful in THEIR experience or presenting and acting upon opportunity.
5. For, as given, each may believe - but the activity of each soul should be, as respecting the faith within self, to show forth in its actions that it PROFESSES to believe.
6. For, from the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh truth. While, that which may be found as a tinkling cymbal may come only from that held as a tenet or as an ideal. But that which becomes ideal is the heart's seeking for the knowing and doing the will of Him that giveth light, life and understanding in all the experiences of those that seek to know His way.
7. Ready for questions.
8. (Q) [69]: As was given in the reading by John, how may I make my will more in accord with his will, that He WILL speak with me? [See 5749-4]
   (A) As He has given to those to whom He spoke, to those to whom He will speak: "If ye love me, keep my commandments. If ye love me, feed my sheep. If ye love me, feed my lambs."
   So, in the experience of all that seek to know His biddings, do with the might that the opportunity presents to thee in each day's activity.
   Be not impatient, but know that He will not tarry - to those who love Him and keep His biddings.
9. (Q) Where am I falling short?
   (A) Who am I, that would speak against any fault in any soul? Seek rather to find the fault from thine own inner self, and He will guide thee aright.
   So spake He to those that asked of Him, and so speaks He to those that seek. For, "My Spirit beareth witness with thy spirit" to all that love His coming.
10. (Q) [288]: Why do I have such a feeling of loneliness and uselessness, especially with this lesson?
    (A) As the activities of self are expressed in that done unto others, so is the abundance of love, companionship, expressions of His closeness, found in thine experience.
    For, as given, HOLY is he or she that has the love of the Father expressed in the acts of thine hands, and thine mind, day by day.
    For, with the love of the Father to those about thee manifest in the life day by day, so is the fullness of the life filled with the joy of the Lord.
11. (Q) [341]: Is there any symbolical difference, or practical difference, between "feed my sheep" and "feed my lambs" as just given? Please explain.
    (A) Symbolical; in that one represents that of the fold and the other that seeking the fold. The sheep represent those that know of, and know, the way. The lambs represent those that seek, that would know, that would find the way, that would come if shown the tenderness expressed in, "The good shepherd feedeth the sheep; he tendeth the lambs."
12. (Q) Is there a message for [341] on Opportunity?
    (A) Keep in the way that may be shown to those who seek to know His biddings, and to know the spiritual and material advantages in opportunity that has been presented to those - as self.
13. (Q) [307]: Please give me a message that may encourage me at this time?
    (A) Faint not in well-doing; for there is being opened the door for the greater opportunities in the lives of those the body contacts through its labors, in the activities of the study of the truths presented; there is being opened glory in the spirit of truth, that convinceth and convicteth man unto the acknowledging of his relationship to the Father.
14. (Q) Is there a message for [295] on Opportunity?
    (A) Study to show thyself approved in meeting all those opportunities that come in the activities of the study of the lessons and the truths that have been and are being presented in the meditations day by day.
    Be not faint-hearted in those things, conditions, experiences that would appear to hinder; either in judgments or in activities; for whom the Lord loveth and calleth into service, him He testeth - even to the cleansing as by fire.
15. (Q) [993]: Why am I called to read Revelation and the prophets during this lesson?
    (A) For, as has been presented, opportunity is of the spirit presented or manifesting itself in the activity of individual souls. As is shown in the prophets, THESE were also called to present truths that came into the experience of those to whom the prophets spoke.
    So, in Revelation is there seen, in the activities of those that name the name, those that are called, those that would harken - hence, as in water the face answereth to the face, so in thine consciousness does the spirit of truth in the prophets, in the Revelation, answer to the consciousness in self.
    Know that those who spoke there spoke even as is spoken to thee in thine experiences, in meeting the spirits of truth in revealed activity in thy meditation.
16. (Q) [560]: May I have a message on Opportunity?
    (A) As there is being shown thee in the material way, in the thinking or heart way, in the spiritual experiences, the opportunities that are both lost and grasped by many, so - as the parallels are drawn for thee - know that thou art being lifted up, being drawn more and more into the abilities in the MATERIAL ways to strengthen those that falter here and there. To all may it be as this, upon the opportunities that have been given, from the purposes in the beginning of the Group, that:
    The time draweth near, the time is at hand, when there is more and more seeking for the light and understanding.
    Let each, then, in your own way, in that which seemeth good in the light of that which has been presented thee, from day to day, so manifest that love that has been showered on thee - in thy studies, in the preparation for truths to thy fellow man, so live thine own life that it may be an ensample unto those that study.
    For, as ye call on Him, the Lord guide Thou thy servants in the ways they should go.
    "Let my going in, mine coming out, be wholly within the ways Thou would have me go. Direct my steps, direct my mind. Let Thy will be done in me. For, as the heart panteth after Thy own will, may my spirit bear witness in the things my body does day by day, that - the Lord is in His holy temple, and the rod has not passed from those that call on His name; for the GLORY of the Father to the sons of men may be expressed in those that would guide, guard and keep the holy ways."
17. We are through for the present.

BACKGROUND

1. Subject of Reading 262-51 - "Norfolk Study Group #1."

REPORTS

1. 8/25/33 See 262-52 reading on the subject ONENESS OF ALL FORCE.

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