The importance of Step Three is that a decision is made (in fact it is a final choice) for our thought process to no longer be propelled by our human instincts (our self will) but rather by the will of God through inspiration. Inspiration is defined as, "the thoughts of God implanted in the mind and soul of man."The Third Step is, "We mad e a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him." In the Big Book Alcoholics Anonymous in the chapter "How It Works" it states, "The first requirement (in taking the Third Step) is that we be convinced that any life run on self will can hardly be a success." As stated prior to this, "Remember that we deal with alcohol, cunning, baffling, powerful. Without help it is to much for us. But there is One who has all power -that One is God. May you find Him now!" The chapter goes further in stating, "Selfishness - self-centerednes! That, we think, is the root of our troubles... So our troubles, we think, are basically of our own making. They arise out of ourselves, and the alcoholic is an extreme example of self will run riot..." Self will is our thought process propelled by our human instincts. In the Big Book it says "above everything we alcoholics must be rid of this selfishness and there seems no way of entirely getting rid of self without His aid."
I learned in the program of Alcoholics Anonymous that we have three basic instincts, a social, sexual and security instinct. These instincts are God given and necessary for life but in us we can never get enough of what it is we think we need . The great psychiatrist Sigmund Freud defines an instinct as "a bodily need manifested in our thought process." It is there that our character defects exist - but these same defects, which will always exist to some extent in our human nature, cannot possibly be manifested in our behavior when our thought process is propelled by God's will, through inspiration.
Written By Armand
s Step's 1 & 2 imply, the initial catalyst for reaching out to the God of my understanding was absolute desperation in that I had exhausted every other known earthly option or avenue that would, or could, extricate me from the dilemma and consequences of a life lived to satisfy my every wayward desire. I had deliberately chosen to live a life in direct opposition to the known will of God whenever my unsated appetites beckoned. Finding myself, by my own design, on the precipice of an eternity in a continuous living hell I found myself finally forced to not only abandon my lifestyle but completely reject every ounce of control over life as I understood it as this new future in Gods hands and plan for me unfolded.
ReplyDeleteThere was no employment of my well honed negotiating skills. No shallow foxhole prayers, only to immediately fall back to my alcohol fueled journey into debauchery once the immediate crisis had passed. This time was different. This alcoholic knew it was an ignominious and eternal death or complete surrender. And as I later learned; that revelation, like a white hot lightning bolt that burst into the core of my being, was a gift from a Loving Father that had not, and will not ever give up on me.
My entire life of rebellion was instantaneously revealed in space and time. Yet, immersed in that encounter with the God of all Eternity was an overwhelming Presence of love and compassion beyond telling. He wasn't asking for all that I was willing to surrender at that time, but the one thing I still wished to hold back... Yet, as Jesus lovingly beckoned, I finally, fatefully spiritually collapsed and surrendered the one thing that had always stood in the way of my redemption, me...
As I pored out my life at His feet, all of the guilt and shame associated with my past was immediately washed away. I was, in the most profound sense reborn. From that point on following the Steps was assured. Not easy... but assured, and has, together with study and inspired implementation of His Word brought me into a time of refreshment and joy of living that is well beyond my wildest dreams. Today, when life reveals some fear inducing perplexity, when the future seems ominous or unsecured, I harken back to that time many years ago when I first surrendered... And was accepted warts and all, by the Person of God through Jesus Christ who recalls to my mind our first encounter and the continuous lyric of that day; "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me... I was lost but now I'm found, was blind but now I see"..
A Gratefully Recovering Alcohol
A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic Amen...Thank you...Armand
DeleteIn The Third Step I came to realize that unless I had a personal relationship with a Power Greater than myself, I was going to have a difficult time deriving the full benefit of recovery - far beyond sobriety. The Third Step reminded me that nothing short of the continuous integration of all Twelve Steps into my life (final choice) would bring about the desired result. My will was strong but my mind was weak. I had to relinquish my mind and turn the transmutation of right thinking and behavior over to my spirit. In that process and through The Power Within me, I would be the recipient of the greatest gift of all. The source of my thinking would change from me to The Power Within me. From perspiration to inspiration. Inspiration, as you've defined it, to understand and follow the remaining steps of recovery. And to then give it all away - my ultimate purpose.
ReplyDeleteMichael a life propelled by our human instinct can only lead to our final destruction. a life lived in the Will of God can only lead to love, peace,joy...Thank you...Armand
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