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
Carl Jung told Roland Hazzard about The Promised Land in his office. Ebby told Bill about The Promised Land in Bill's kitchen. Dr Silkworth and Bill talked about The Promised Land in the Doctor's office. Bill has told me about The Promised Land in The Big Book's program of recovery. The modality of a vital experience matters little but one must occur within the alcoholic if he is to recover from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. Dr Silkworth cautioned Bill to stop selling the spiritual experience to drunks but to instead focus on the reality of hopelessness. In that way all would be able to identify. Each of us has a story to tell. It is only by having integrated all Twelve Steps into my life in such a way that they have become my life that my story includes The Promised Land. The land where I belong - where all of us belong.
ReplyDeleteMichael a life lived in the will of God is a fruitful live. In Alcoholics Anonymous we all have the opportunity to live it...Thank you...Armand
ReplyDeleteArmand, a wonderful topic.
ReplyDeleteGod hasn't ransomed us just to release us back into the prison of "half measures" and lost hope. Although I wanted to do what is right, certain events in the day found me incapable of "generating" the depth of faith required to manifest an absolute trust in Gods guidance and plan. How then can I 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 of the miraculous works of Jesus, a furtive hope is kindled, he sets out into the wilderness. But hopes are dashed as Christ's own disciples are impotent against his sons's beastly condition.
Jesus arrives on the scene, questions the father who relates his desperation, 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 crippling fear that had previously obscured the father's innermost need was in that moment surrendered to the Master. He instantly cries out "I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!" He asked for a miracle and it was provided... In an instant, lost hope transformed into saving faith while he witnessed the impossible as Jesus cast out the daemon and his son was restored healthy and whole. 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, I have discovered some things do require extra effort on my part but all things can be overcome as I first willingly, then fervently lay them at the feet of the Lord. Beginning, with myself..
A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic
I have been given courage and strength from God. As I deepen my trust, I believe and find more faith and dependence on God.
ReplyDeleteI continue to seek God and make conscious contact throughout my day. On awakening I pray and meditate. God is my father, directing me on my path. He knows what is best for me. I often doubt, get angry and impatient because things don’t happen on my time. I must trust in God’s timing and remember he has mastery over my problems. I ask God to remove my fear and direct my attention to what he would have me be....I can outgrow fear and live in faith and reliance upon God.
I continue to seek knowledge of God’s will for me and the power to carry.
Jessica Keep it up. You have made progress...Thank you...Armand
DeleteAA is the promised land. Here I was plucked from a life propelled by alcohol and placed in the care of a loving God though I didn’t know it at the time. All I knew was that I needed to stop drinking but I found so much more in AA if I do a few suggested things. One day at a time I stay out of the wilderness and face my fears to recover from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body.
ReplyDeleteAnne. An alcoholic whom is recovered is In the promised land...Thank you...Armanf
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