Thursday, July 9, 2015
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,
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The most telling physical symptom of my self-will was a pronounced lack of energy. Life was a push despite my commitment to hard work and exercise. My body was drained because my spirit was blocked. Thus, I certainly had nothing to give away except words. Just as Step 12 specifically states, a spiritual awakening awaits us if we've completed The Steps and have incorporated them into our lives. That inherent subrogation of my will has revealed The Power Within me to me and has awakened me to vitality and purpose. As life continues to exist on life's terms, my reaction to life is no longer dependent on the worn-out limitations of my will. Today I have energy, I have love, and I have a clear path from The Power Within me to the hearts of my fellow travelers. I am alive.
ReplyDeleteMichael How true when you said "my body was drained because my spirit was blocked." However by incorporating the program of Alcoholics Anonymous into your life in such a way that it became your life you surrendered your nature to the will of God and in so doing released the defects of your nature that where draining your energy...Thank you...Armand
ReplyDeleteI've asked my sponsor several times if I am recovered. The reply is always the same, "Are you living in the will of God? If you are, then yes". I question myself before I answer. I guess I am admitting right here and now that because I (as a human) question it with my own intellect, I am not in His will - at least at that moment. I strive for such a relationship with Him that sometimes I miss it, The Life, occurring . When I let my prayer for knowledge of His will climb over my intellectual hilltop and float beyond the limitations of my human perceptions I experience, every time, the life-giving and divine power to forget myself and adore those around me. It is true I can only give what I have and what I do indeed have is the capacity to help others knock down their own self-inflicted prison by showing them what is waiting, what He offers, outside of it. I can show what I exude and what I exude is Him as long as I remain connected through my vessels of prayer and inspiration.
ReplyDeleteCaitlin A life lived in the will of God is a life devoid of our human instinct manifesting itself in our thought process and than having the power to manifest in our behavior. In the will of God an alcoholic cannot drink nor will an alcoholic manifest their defects in their behavior...Understanding that the mind and body are one acting in concert with one another than if the thought process is inspired by the will of God the human instinct will be thwarted in manifesting in our behavior. As this conscious contact is occurring than one is recovered An alcoholic knows when they are not in the will of God when they see their human defects manifesting in their behavior...Thank you...Armand
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