In the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous it says, "We shall describe some of the states that precede a relapse into drinking, for obviously this is the crux of the problem. What sort of thinking dominates an alcoholic who repeats time after time the experiment of the first drink.....therefore the main problem of the alcoholic centers in the mind rather than in the body."If our thought processes are propelled by the will of God rather than our human instincts we will not drink. Our character defects cannot manifest themselves in our behavior if we are in His will. Instead, our character has been perfected, as we are now the human being that God created us to be.
In THE FOURTH DIMENSION OF LIFE we become a human being that cares about others in such a genuine way. We become a human being that wants to help others. We think of other's needs before our own. In the Big Book it states, "Our very lives as ex-problem drinkers depends upon our constant thoughts of others and how we may help meet their needs."
We benefit in using all tools of recovery but, above all, we must turn from our human nature and live in the will of God. By doing so we will live a human life we could have only imagined we would. We will manifest THE FOURTH DIMENSION OF LIFE - a life free from the bondage of ourselves.
Written by Armand
It is my firm belief that I have found The Fourth Dimension of Life deep down within me through The Power Within me. That dimension is ever-changing, ever-growing, ever-learning, ever-teaching, ever-experiencing, ever-responding to the limitations of my human nature, ever-guiding me to me through the power of The Spirit Within me. The Fourth Dimension is unrecognizable to me in human terms. But it is alive and comforting and certain in my spirit, uninhibited by my thinking and far more powerful than my instincts. I agree with you that in The Fourth Dimension, I cannot and will not drink, that my character defects cannot and will not manifest themselves in my behavior, that I can and will be of maximum service to myself and to others, and that I can and will be able to know and love myself. And you.
ReplyDeleteMichael a recovered Alcoholic lives in the will of God free of the bondage of self...Thank you...Armand
ReplyDeleteAs part of my recovery, I believe I have lost the ability to put myself in the center of the universe. Why? Because I have proven beyond a reasonable doubt over an extended period of time that I can balance my actions and behaviors with what is expected by an adult. There was no "balancing" my self interest with other people. Couldn't do it. What was I to do? I needed a new way of thinking and set of beliefs. I always believed in God like a fresh new college graduate without any professional experience. I like to say I believed "in God" but I didn't "know God". I needed to build a relationship and experience with God before I could listen to Him. That experience of a relationship gave me trust in our relationship in order to hear Him, then see His role in my life, and then BELIEVE in Him. Now I have faith and follow Him by aligning my will to His will. Relationships take time and effort. I have been given an intellect and talents by Him only to serve others, only because that is precisely what He wishes me to do. Thank you for your leadership in our individual discovery that leads to the joy we receive by living in the will of God.
ReplyDeleteJim anyone who says time doesn't matter in AA doesn't have any time. Only through experience do we discover the full pervasiveness and power of our human nature. Over time we relinquish our useless will and surrender in an absolute way to the will of God....Thank you...Armand
ReplyDeleteEvery step is in the order it is for a reason and Step 11 is no exception. All are written in the form of a testimony, a collective deposition if you will, of the journey on the road less traveled by those who have gone before with a simple clarity seldom encountered in secular writings. For in A.A. I have learned to abandon every personal effort to "work" Step 11 as though it were a point on the "great check list of recovery" and simply surrender to His presence.
ReplyDeleteThe journey itself is the destination. And through God's grace, a fervently desired resting place. It is; in its entirety, God's gift to everyone who is willing to embrace the immutable truth of His word and the undeniable Presence of His Person and began the moment I made a decision to turn my will and my life over to the care of God as I understood Him. Life, once a shallow shadowy series of lessons best forgotten is transformed into a never ending manifestation of joy and peace, as moment by moment He graciously provides the ultimate gift of His divine calling, that is, that my entire life becomes His prayer.
So, as the psalmist I urge all to “Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will bring it to pass… Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.” I want to begin the day with King Solomons response to Your question, “Ask! What shall I give you?” (2 Chronicles 1:7). Solomon asked for an “understanding heart.” and confessed his inadequacy and need for strength to fulfill his responsibilities. Solomon wanted to hear both Gods voice and the voices of the people who came to him with their needs. He wanted to be able to respond and speak to those needs out of the depth of wisdom that came from a heart turned to Gods Holy Spirit and supernatural power.
Yes, I am thoroughly convinced that the Creator of All continues to lovingly conform every aspect of my life into His personal prayer and vision for me as I fervently seek His still small voice, in the limitless fullness of His presence. Lord, make me one who longs to have a wise and understanding heart. May I be one who listens carefully to Your heart speaking to my heart. Help me to listen to You all throughout today and always..
A Grateful Recovering Alcoholic
A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic love when you wrote "that my entire life becomes His prayer."...Thank you...Armand
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