Self Will Or God's Will

                       The 12th Step of Alcoholics Anonymous is "having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and practice these principles in all our affairs."  This step clearly places a responsibility upon me as I can't possibly give away that which I don't have.  The Big Book of AA says "we have recovered and been given the power to help others."  The power to help others is a direct result of the spiritual awakening, received in Step Twelve, and until that has occurred for us it is going to be pretty difficult for that to occur for other alcoholics that we may be helping.  But once the spirit has been awakened within us we can"t possibly be in the will of God without helping others.  Once the spirit has been awakened  and we now have the power we are asked to carry this message not only through our words, but also by incorporating the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous, the Twelve Steps, into our lives so that our behavior can be an example for others.  Once the spirit has been awakened in them they can then lead a recovered life.  They will then have the power to help others in the sense that is necessary so that others may recover from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body,