There is an old Biblical story which relates to having trust in God. When the Jewish people left Egypt, "The Exodus", God had prepared a land for them - The Promised Land. The Promised Land was an eleven day journey from Egypt. Moses sent a scout from each of the twelve tribes to explore The Promised Land and report back. They reported that the area was magnificent, a land flowing with milk and honey, but the people there are powerful and the cities well fortified. What's more, "we saw giants seven to nine feet tall". This caused fear in the people. The only scouts willing to face their fear (by trusting in God) were Caleb and Joshua, both willing to enter The Promised Land. The Jewish people decided not to enter. For the next forty years the Jews wandered around in the wilderness until all those who were over twenty at the time had died. Once again, they stood at The Promised Land and only Caleb and Joshua who were over twenty from forty years ago were allowed to enter as they had been willing to face their fears by trusting in God.
We each have our own exodus from our own addiction. We became weary of wandering around the wilderness alone. We were ill. We were finished. We face our fears by trusting in God and we enter The Promised Land - a land of serenity, peace and joy. Are you ready? Have you come to believe that a power greater than yourself could restore you to sanity? Have you come to trust in that power?
Written By Armand
Written By Armand
Armand,
ReplyDeleteThe parallels between Exodus and our personal escape from bondage through the 12 Steps of AA are profound indeed. A thorough reading clearly illuminates that same diabolically devious "Trojan Horse" thought life that portrays the efforts of our enemy as the desired vehicle to free the lives of the very people its sole purpose is intended to enslave and destroy. God hasn't ransomed us just to release us back into the prison of "half measures" and lost hope. How true that certain fearful events in the day find us incapable of "generating" the depth of faith required to manifest an absolute trust in Gods guidance and plan. How then can we walk in the power of the Spirit? Mark 9: 14 - 29 holds the answer. Here we find a frantic father, desperately seeking relief for his demonized son. No doubt he sought every local source of human and spiritual ingenuity available to effect a cure, all to no avail. He hears secondhand of the miraculous works of Jesus, a furtive hope is kindled, he sets out into the wilderness. But hopes are dashed as Christ's disciples, in the absence of the Master, are impotent against the author of his sons's beastly captivity.
Jesus arrives on the scene, questions the father who relates his son's condition, the failure of His disciples to effect a cure, then pleads "Have mercy on us and help us if you can." "If I can?" Jesus asked. "Anything is possible if a person believes." The father instantly cries out "I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!" Thus, pride swallowed by desperation now provided the willingness to believe as he now laid his innermost need bare before the Master. He asked for a miracle and... It was provided. In that instant, lost hope transformed into saving faith as he witnessed the impossible. But the story wasn't over, His disciples asked "Why couldn't we cast out that evil spirit?" Jesus replied, "This kind can only be cast out by prayer and fasting." Yes, some things do require extra effort on our part; but all things can be overcome as we at first desperately, then willingly and finally fervently lay them at the feet of our God. We need only ask... And God will provide.
A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic.
Were Bill and Bob modern-day examples of Caleb and Joshua? Were the seven-to-nine feet tall giants personifications of my fear and pride? Did I wander about for years trusting only in myself and my alcoholic will? Does the land of milk and honey really exist in lieu of the seventh circle of hell in which I existed? All I know is that I needed a way of life by which to conduct my life, and The AA program of recovery gave me that. If there is one keyword that has vitalized my spiritual experience in AA, that word is Trust. I had to learn to trust before I could find any useful level of faith. Using the Big Book and a teaching sponsor, I learned that I must incorporate The Twelve Steps into my life until they become my way of life. Today I live in and understand a life of milk and honey, far-removed from the dark dens of alcohol and its consequent self-loathing. The Promised Land is available to all. I know it.
ReplyDelete