I like to think of the Tenth Step of the AA program as a hallway - a hallway that I must walk down in order to come into the room in which I can live with God. This hallway needs daily repair as the ceiling is leaking, there are holes in the walls and the floor is buckled. Fortunately, the program of Alcoholics Anonymous has given us an instructional manual so that we can pass through, although we may be encumbered at first.Another way to look at this is as if God is the light and my human defects are a clouded glass which no light can shine through. As I begin to incorporate the program of AA into my life and begin to develop a relationship with God, some of the glass clears and some of the light shines through. As I continue to incorporate the Twelve Steps into my life, the glass clears even more and even more of the light shines through. Finally, the day arrives when the glass is transparent and all of the light shines through and it is in this moment that I am one with God and free of the manifestation of my character defects.
Incorporate the Tenth Step into your daily existence and, eventually, into all your waking moments. We must be persistent. Persistence is the time spent in faith between the promise of God and the provision of God. Thereafter, a life free of anxiety, fear and resentment can be experienced; cloaked in harmony, peace and serenity.
Written by Armand
The Big Book program of recovery has taught me that upon effectively reaching Step 10, I have entered the world of the spirit. Not only do I believe that, I feel it in my life in some way each day. Our next function, The Step reveals, is to grow in understanding and effectiveness. Talk about the glass clearing and the sun shining through! When I don't overthink it, that is at the core of all I ever wanted or needed. To understand - not just why and what but who - who I am. By incorporating all Twelve Steps into my life in such a way that they changed my life, I believe in The Power Within me and within all of us. The world of science tells us that seeing is believing but in the world of the spirit, believing is seeing. With that belief and through the presence of The Power Within, I now understand what effectiveness means and how I can to continue to grow - to even greater understanding and effectiveness. The remaining Steps tell me where and how I can and must live in the spirit. Acquiring it was free - as is giving it away. That is the ultimate gift of recovery from my former seemingly hopeless state of mind and body.
ReplyDeleteMichael loved when you wrote ?believing is seeing. the good lord says "belief you have received it and it will be yours but remember while you are praying forgive if you have anything against anyone"...Thank you...Armand
DeleteArmand, thanks for sharing,
ReplyDeleteHaving cleared away the wreckage of my past and established a relationship with God through the previous steps, I now discover that I have been propelled into a new dimension. Life is no longer a cold grey prison but a technicolor journey to the Source of Infinite Love. What was once a mystery is now crystal clear. The steps are no longer a mere set of suggestions penned upon a page but a lifestyle destination engraved upon my heart. The Holy Spirit now resides within me. His presence is unmistakable and my conscience, once seared to a whisper is now sensitive to every wayward thought, word and deed.
As I continue to meet God at His mercy seat He lovingly compels me to seek out His way and gently reveals the Source of this conversation as Himself, the Lover of my soul. He expands and refines my 11th step intimacy into a continuous conversation, as moment by moment, I discover that even my most seemingly insignificant daily actions begin to become purified and my most fervent prayer. As I continue on this journey, the Divine Source of the program, the collective witness of the founders and the True Inspiration of the message is now simply contained in 1 John: 1-9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness". It is a miraculously incomprehensible fact that the pure and holy God of all eternity Himself personally reaches out, initiates and finally completes this ongoing process with all who are willing to surrender to Him. To Him be the glory forever and ever, Amen...
A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic
A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic the love you articulated so well is delivered to us Alcoholics through the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous...Thank you...Armand
DeleteAs I move out of the darkness, I am lead by the light. The 10th step keeps me honest, accountable and real. I must stop fighting everyone and everything and ask God to guide & direct my thinking. I begin to see my motives, selfishness and self-centeredness, my self-centered fear. I ask God to remove my fears & direct my attention to what he would have me be...
ReplyDeleteI pray for patience and persistence, as I begin to incorporate the 10th step daily I move into faith & trust in God, living one day at a time. I seek to find emotional balance, connection and peace.
Jessica love when you wrote " keeps me honest and accountable...Thank you...Armand
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