The road of recovery is a spiritual one. Steps 2, 3, and 11, speak of a Power greater than ourselves. A God as we understand him. Step 12 talks about “Having had a spiritual awakening…” The Big Book refers to a “…a necessary spiritual experience…”
But many folks recoil from the thought of God. Their experience with God has been a negative one. Or they do not believe in a god at all. Or have searched for God, but haven’t seemed to be able to find anything. We need a spiritual Connection, but we don’t know how to connect.
Some of us, especially in the beginning, have turned to the group as our Higher Power. There is something in a group that is bigger than us. We find a power in the success and experience of others that encourages us on our own journey. I am very blessed by my group. For me, they are “God with skin on”.
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3 comments:
Hi Nancy,
I love your meditations!! I have printed out a copy to share at my next meeting.
Thanks,
Angela
God with skin on! I love it!
Beth
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Date: Fri, 4 Jul 2008 08:48:04 -0700
Dear Nancy,
I had to write back to you tonight. Have just finished reading your meditation. I can't help but think that the Holy Spirit had you write that for me!!!! I have had a very difficult week. Issues of control and the such. What is really amazing is that I read in James a couple days ago and was meditating on the same verse you used. As an addict, sinner, I seem to always want to do things to control my life so that I will be happy. My job is a source of the dullness that you described. At times, it seems unbearable. I so relate with wanting to see the results of all this. But, I sense God saying to me, be patient. And also, my grace will carry you through everyday; just for today. I want grace for the next year. But its only for today. I struggle with dullness and boredom. I find myself having a passive/aggressive attitude towards God, for when the periods of boredom and dullness come, I pull away from God by not praying to him. Of course, the noise only grows and then lust comes in. As embarrasing as this is to say, I find myself throwing a tantrum or fit to manipulate God to change my circumstances. While I'm in the furnace, the last thing I do is pray. But from what I am learning is that God loves me too much to give in to my tantrums and throwing fits. I am thankful for this. Otherwise I would never change or grow. I was discussing this with my wife tonight, and I shared that when I do reach out to God for grace and strength to get through circumstances, he is always there. I am beggining to realize that if God would give me everything i wanted when I wanted, would I really need him or reach out to him? I would like to think so, but I'm not sure. Anyways, you asked about my greenware experience. Thanks for writing. You are not alone.
Greg L.
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