There is an idea, a theory if you will that seems to permeate the very fabric of our fellowship and in doing so robs the hope, steals the wind from countless new people and old timers alike. I beleive today, as I was told, that the program of Alcoholics Anonymous as it is shared in the spoken word and laid out in our basic text is a path to God. That it's consumation results not only a deep and personal desire to know God, but also in the reciprocating effect of that, which is the presence of God in my life.
Lack of power is our dilema, always has been, I am powerless over alcohol. Now the rest follows a very logical and rational thought pattern and process, and while few are able to grasp, comprehend and understand the complexity of it in early sobreity it works.
Through the surrender of our will the cleaning of our personal defects the amending of our past wrongs and the maintenance of these things, coupled with consistant prayer, meditation and service to others, we are given power. God channels his power through us to give us the Grace and Strength we need to remain Sober. We also through this process create a lifestyle that is not condusive to drinking.
Relationships are forged, pyshcic changes have occured, channels are opened, and while that does not ensure permenant sobriety, it does ensure a daily reprive contigent on the maintenance of this spiritual program. These things can be ignored, broken, and undone. Character defects can return, prayer life can become stale, sponsers can move and not be replaced, we stop attending meetings, etc. All of these can eventually lead to a drink. However the longer I am sober and doing these things the further from a drink I get, and the closer to God I become! Today there is hope in the idea that I am no longer an arm's length away from a drink!
Lack of power is our dilema, always has been, I am powerless over alcohol. Now the rest follows a very logical and rational thought pattern and process, and while few are able to grasp, comprehend and understand the complexity of it in early sobreity it works.
Through the surrender of our will the cleaning of our personal defects the amending of our past wrongs and the maintenance of these things, coupled with consistant prayer, meditation and service to others, we are given power. God channels his power through us to give us the Grace and Strength we need to remain Sober. We also through this process create a lifestyle that is not condusive to drinking.
Relationships are forged, pyshcic changes have occured, channels are opened, and while that does not ensure permenant sobriety, it does ensure a daily reprive contigent on the maintenance of this spiritual program. These things can be ignored, broken, and undone. Character defects can return, prayer life can become stale, sponsers can move and not be replaced, we stop attending meetings, etc. All of these can eventually lead to a drink. However the longer I am sober and doing these things the further from a drink I get, and the closer to God I become! Today there is hope in the idea that I am no longer an arm's length away from a drink!
Very nicely done.
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