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
A day at a time I use my spiritual tool kit and live in acceptance with faith seeking gods will for me. Gods will becomes more clear when I seek guidance and go with the flow. I let go of the need to control and try to live more of the serenity prayer.
ReplyDeleteI live more in the present with conscious contact. The more connected I feel with God, the more I am connected with others.
Sometimes simply a deep breath, breathing in gods love and exhaling, help center me and help me do the next right thing. In service and in life I live, learn and grow.
Jessica you wrote the more connected I feel with God, the more I am connected with others. It is my experience that I can't possibly be in the will of God without service to others. A surrendered natureallows me to place others before me...Thank you...Armand
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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 that leads us to that fourth dimension of life 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.
DeleteThrough God's grace, this new journey is; in its entirety, God's free gift to anyone who is willing to embrace the immutable truth of His word and the undeniable Presence of His Person that 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 lonely painful encounters is transformed into a never ending manifestation of love, 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 Gods 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 loving wisdom that came from a heart turned to Gods Holy Spirit and supernatural power.
Even though this world around us seems stricken by evil, utterly confused and out of control, I am thoroughly convinced that the Creator of All continues to lovingly conform every aspect of every life surrendered to Him to be secure in the true serenity 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 as Your Holy Spirit communes with mine. Help me to listen to You all throughout today, and always, so that I can rightly share the love that You are growing in me for others.. Amen...
A Grateful Recovering Alcoholic
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ReplyDeleteIn his essay, The Slip and Human Nature, Dr Silkworth reminds us that all people, not just alcoholics, grow tired/bored etc with datelines, deadlines, sameness. He calls that activity "sustained motion." Instead, he suggests, we must embrace "the philosophy of the spirit". That will lead us to "sustained emotion." The difference, of course, results in the Dimension in which we choose to live. It was only by integrating all Twelve Steps into my life that I was able to experience the value and joy derived from helping others through my awakened spirit - sustained emotion. The active presence of The Steps in my life led to the everpresence of the Power Within me. And to The Fourth Dimension of life.
ReplyDeleteMichael freedom from our selfish instincts leads us to a life of Giving that is an outpouring of the love within us through the presence of God...thank you...Armand
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