In the book Alcoholics Anonymous Comes Of Age, in the historic visit to Bill W. from his boarding school pal Ebby T. (a man nearly committed for alcoholic insanity), Ebby outlined the precepts of the Oxford Group. One of the precepts applies to this notion of humility. Practicing the giving of oneself to another is a true act of humility. Ebby told Bill W. to practice giving, as in, the giving of himself to somebody.
Personally I have learned that it is true humility which unlocks the door to the grace of God. In order to grow in humility I must begin to let go of my selfish desires and begin to have a faith in God. This eventually blossoms into a complete trust in God. Trust in God was difficult initially, as through the entire course of my life I had used my instincts and my intellect to propel me through. But, when I was faced with a self-imposed crisis that I could not overcome with my human power, I had to rely on a higher power.
As the Big Book states, "We trust in infinite God rather than finite self." Today, in this day and in this time, I trust in God. The development of this trust in God leads to a caring of others that was impossible for me before. An alcoholic who is humble enough to trust in God knows that the GIVING of self to the helping of others is a crucial tool of recovery.
Written by Armand
Giving, our highest achievement, cannot occur when we have nothing to give. Thus, humility is impossible for a self-centered alcoholic as we are too sick to think of anything except stuffing ourselves with more of what it is we think we need. Ultimately as alcoholics, getting is all we really know.In my experience, only by integrating all Twelve Steps into my life in such a way that they became my life was I able to find humility in equal parts of each of The Twelve Steps. Each Step led me closer to knowledge of myself through The Power Within me. That awareness and the commitment to enthusiastically practice these Steps in all my affairs produced an unsuspected result. I found something to give - love. To myself and to you.
ReplyDeleteMichael the good lord says "place no idols before me and love your neighbor as I have loved you...Thank you...Armand
DeleteHumilty is the keystone to all the spiritual virtues we need for sobriety through our relationship with God. I encourage people to search for a prayer called Litany of Humility. This prayer tells us what humility looks like with concrete examples. C.S. Lewis also referred to this prayer when giving his definition, "Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less." Self centeredness is something I need to remove from my thinking because it in turn takes me to resentments, fear and anxiety. Living in the will of God requires me to trust in Him. Completely. I can only do that by first being humble.
ReplyDeleteJim the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous is the practice of humility...Thank you...Armand
Delete"Strip away the ego so the Divine can show through."
ReplyDeleteJim K. Qualification at Oxford Group Meeting on September 5, 2018
John sure doesn't take a lot of words to make the point...Thank you...Armand
DeleteArmand,
ReplyDeleteNothing cuts us off from the incredible plans that God has for us like self centeredness. It is an insidious and relentless thief of every joy that has been promised and contained in Gods ultimate plan and will for us and has it’s spiritual foundation rooted in the character of the first being to rebel against Gods perfect plan. For in Isaiah 14: 12-14 it is written, "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For you have said in your heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also on the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High."
Consider the implication contained in this statement, "I will be like the Most High," not above but like. It has a deceptively implied legitimacy, for Lucifer isn't claiming supremacy but peerage, that is, a position equal to the Creator and Sustainer of all things seen and unseen. It is rooted solely in pride. "Cunning, powerful and deadly" and it's ultimate destination is desolation. This well hidden self-centered pride pollutes everything. It stunts my spiritual growth, hobbles my relationships and causes me to miss His blessings. When I allow pride to reign, life becomes bland, truth becomes relative and values become debased. The antidote to this spiritual sickness is a life manifest in repentance and sanctification rooted in Gods Word through the daily practice of the 12 Steps.
Today my prayer is to listen to the Lord's fear dispelling words to me. "Fear not, I am with you. I will never leave or forsake you. You are Mine for eternity. Seek to please only Me and you will have nothing and no one to fear. My love casts out fear. You don't have to worry about being inadequate ever again. I am your strength, wisdom and courage. Let go of your own control and humbly trust Me to guide you every step of the way. You don't need fear to manipulate people anymore. You are free to motivate them with My love, freely given that you may share and experience My joy in giving My love to others through you..."
A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic
The book tells us that "our very lives, as ex-problem drinkers, depend upon our constant thought of others and how we may help them meet their needs." AA wisdom tells us we have to "give it away if we want to keep it." I've learned it's even simpler than that-- I have to give it away if I want to even GET it. When I am giving of myself unselfishly in a spirit of love and service, then I truly feel that I am in God's will.
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