In the chapter "Into Action" in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous it is written,
"In thinking about our day we may face indecision. We may not be able to determine which course to take. Here we ask God for INSPIRATION, an intuitive thought or decision. We relax and take it easy. We don't struggle. We are often surprised how the right answers come after we have tried this for a while.
What used to be the hunch or the occasional INSPIRATION gradually becomes a working part of the mind. Being still inexperienced and having just made conscious contact with God, it is not probable that we are going to be inspired at all times. We might pay for this presumption in all sorts of absurd actions and ideas. Nevertheless, we find that our thinking will, as time passes, be more and more on the plane of INSPIRATION. We come to rely upon it."
It is in conscious contact with God that INSPIRATION may be received. It is where a recovered alcoholic lives.
INSPIRATION is defined in the dictionary as, "the thoughts of God implanted in the mind and soul of man." When the thoughts of God are received in our souls we don't need to run them by our intellect, as we know immediately that they are the Truth. The question becomes, has our human nature surrendered to the will of God in this moment so that we are capable of receiving God's thoughts OR are our thought processes propelled by our human instinct? A recovered alcoholic lives in and through INSPIRATION as their thought process is propelled by the will of God.
Written by Armand
To think that a recovered alcoholic lives in inspiration is almost unfathomable until it is explained as you have. Of course, the key word is recovered, and, for me, therein lay the rub - how does one become recovered? The Big Book authors hoped that defeated drinkers like me would "seize upon" the Big Book and follow its suggestions. That is a clear invitation to follow the path to recovery. Yet, so many of us never really get that message. It's too easy and, therefore, too hard. There is no question that I am personally committed to living the life I was created to live. Until following the program of recovery clearly outlined in The Big Book, I really had nowhere to turn, even as I continued to make and take turns that expertly evaded the solution. I now know that there is no easier, softer way. Inspiration flows from the action of letting go and the divine energy made available by personally knowing The Power Within. In this moment. In His Will.
ReplyDeletemichael nothing to say bout "well said."...Thank you...Armand
ReplyDeleteThis Comment Is From A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic
ReplyDeleteArmand,
Step 11. "Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our "conscious" contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out." Matthew 7.7, recording Jesus words delivered at the sermon on the mount adds this promise, "Ask and it will be given to you; Seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." Yes, Gods promise is that Inspiration through prayerful meditation on His Word and constant prayerful conversation with Him as we walk through every waking moment will lead to the eventual discovery that our very lives have become not our prayer, but His...
A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic
A gratefully Recovering Alcoholic i like to say 'that we become the human being God created us to be."...Thanks...Armand
DeleteComment from Anne: This is one of my favorite readings in the Big Book. If I read this each day my day goes much better and it's a wonderful place to be when I receive the inspiration from practicing the principles that are outlined. God gave us brains to use and when I ask Him to direct my thinking it's very different to when I am running on self will. I much prefer the inspiration that I get from Practicing step 11 than the inspiration that was fueled by alcohol.
ReplyDeleteAnne welcome A life lived in the will of God is the only life for us to live...Thank you and please continue to comment...Armand
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