In the Big Book of alcoholics Anonymous it says "when we
encountered A A the fallacy of our defiance was revealed. At no time
had we asked what God's will was for us. Instead we had been telling
God what it ought to be. No man we saw could believe in God and defy
God. Belief meant RELIANCE NOT DEFIANCE. We saw them meet and
transcend their other pains and trials. We saw them accept impossible
situations, seeking neither to run nor recriminate. This was not only
faith, but faith that worked under all conditions. We soon concluded
that whatever price in humility we must pay, we would pay."
Reliance upon God is the basis of the program of Alcoholics
Anonymous and humility is the key that unlocks the door to the grace of
God. The Twelve Steps of A A moves us from developing a faith in God
into trusting in God and finally a true reliance upon God in every area
of our life. This relationship with God allows us to transcend the
travails of life in such a way that we are not self centered and caught
in our own needs and problems but rather trusting in the will of God as
it unfolds in our life freeing us to be open to the world around us and
sensitive to the needs of others.
Alone and living as the arbiter of my own will, I am inherently defiant. Not to the point of isolation and overt anger but, nonetheless, reliant solely on my own resources and, therefore, defiant to the core. As you point out, alcohol took me to my knees, defiant to the last swallow. AA became the first stop on a new road to a loving partnership with the world. The Twelve Steps introduced me to the possibility of personal relationship on which I could rely to guide me through life. In many ways, this became the first freedom I had ever known. Throughout the years, this reliance had grown to be the most important part of my life. It provides me with the comfort and peace of mind I need to be helpful to others I meet along the way.
ReplyDeleteMichael just love when you wrote "AA became the first stop on a new road to a loving partnership with the world." True reliance on God is where an alcoholic must live to recover from alcoholism and to be a loving contributor to those around them...Thanks...Armand
ReplyDeleteDon Myers...
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