"This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine." This verse may ring familiar to some of you, but to those with whom it doesn't, let that not disqualify you from its powerful potential. For as many different ways as light can be morphed, it has as many effects. As a child the nightlight in the hall created a sense of security. The light in the kitchen above the stove, switched on when just a bit of glow is needed. The Christmas tree lights or candles lit for the holidays allow tradition to reign and ignite the touch of nostalgia. The fire light amidst the darkest night's skies for warmth and the ability to see.
For all these things, we depend on the light but there is another light we can depend on - it's never too far, set upon a hill atop all that is earthly. Like a city of light in fact, glowing so bright it simply cannot be missed. Though this light cannot be missed, it can at times be ignored and seemingly unreachable. We may know this light in its coming and going out of our lives as the feeling of pure peace and overwhelming joy; it is a light we let in when we let go of everything... the anxieties, insecurities and the pains. It is always there for us to have, to live in and through. But maybe we have dimmed this light whilst in our daily lives. Maybe we have let the distractions and the hustle of every day life darken our outlook and make hope seem more like magic than the power it truly is. Our emotions have perhaps taken over and led us into our own self-propelled attitudes and behaviors. All of this means we not only need to push aside all of that which makes up our human nature but let it go without the intent to revert back to it.
Taking the Twelve Steps of the program of Alcoholics Anonymous is the finest guide to accomplish such a life-altering task as a victim of the disease of any and all addiction. No doubt, this task of doing a complete overhaul to ourselves is daunting. But it is only the fear of letting it go that keeps us locked up. We have successfully built our own prison up around us and worse, convinced ourselves we’re ok there. To be free from it we must ask for help from God. We must ask for our will to no longer be done. Making prayers a consistent part of our lives lets us have and behold the most reliable, loving relationship of any here on this earth – the relationship with God. Trust in God comes as we make prayer a priority, consistently and diligently fastening ourselves to the cord of light created for each of us.
Once we complete the Twelve Steps and are plugged in via prayer and the practicing of meditation we can then always be open to the feeling and the knowing that the source of ultimate light and love exists forever. We can live in one moment, in every moment, keeping the darkness at bay. Living in this way we will have that joyous and secure feeling to carry with us, much like the warmth and comfort of the candle glowing in the darkest part of an unlit room.
I know what it's like to live in the powerless darkness. Alcohol rendered an even more desolate blackness. I wore beautiful suits, made an impressive appearance but, even after years in the program, my soul projected gloom. We know that as alcoholics we were doomed. Simply not drinking, however, can still yield a life of gloom. We can go through life with our lights off. In The BB Spiritual Experience, the personality change available to all in The Program of Recovery is, in itself, defined as a spiritual experience. Our light can be ignited by incorporating all Twelve Steps into our lives until they become our lives. I know with certainty that The Power Within me is the provider of Light within me. My role is simply to shine. It is why we get sober.
ReplyDeleteMichael One cannot perceive the darkness until they step into the light. Than it becomes easy to perceive it...Thank you...Armand
DeleteThis comment Is From A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic
ReplyDeleteAs I've written before, the 12 steps of AA are in no wise a finite process that finds its root in the minds of men but in fact the corporate testimony recorded by those men and women who finally and irrevocably surrendered to the greatest story ever told, the Gospel. But they knew that few respond to the impersonal witness of the Living Word delivered by those who never experienced Divine reprieve from the dungeon of hell called alcoholism and thus, the fellowship was born.
Simply Consider 2 Chronicles 7:14-16, written three thousand years ago: 14 "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.16 For now I have chosen and sanctified this house, that My name may be there forever; and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually."
The Creator of all constantly seeks to save all those who are lost, even during the most depraved events of a prodigal journey. It is He alone, who initiates this inexplicable shift in paradigm. It is He Alone, who continues to remind us that our animal appetites need no longer be sated. It is He alone, who has caused all fleshly desires to loose their allure. It is He alone, who has caused this obsession for all things harmful to be removed. And, it is He alone, who has placed within all whom have surrendered a steadily growing all consuming fire and unquenchable desire to drink at the Masters well as He refines us in the fire of His love.
And, it is He who declares in Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." That my brother, is the essence of Step 12.
A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic