Surround Yourself

I have a good friend who came through the Rapha program and one of the things that he shared struck me as being so simple that aided him in his recovery..
He was talking about when he first began to work the steps and put them into practice. He was struggling, as most in addiction do, but was not about give up.

He looked at several people who were living clean and sober and made the statement, "I want to be like them." So he set about hanging out with people who were serious about their recovery. My friend saw something in the lives of these people he was drawn to that stirred him. He listened to their stories and shared his own. He determined that he was going to be completely honest in his daily dealings and would not lie or hide behind secrets. Little by little, this man began to turn the corner on his past way of life and embraced this new way. He not only went to meetings, but made friends and acquaintances who were living clean and sober.

This is a very important part of our new way of life in Christ. We find, surround ourselves with, and befriend people who are like minded.
In Acts 2:46 we read: And day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart.
The people we read about in Acts are freshly saved and really don't know what to do. It is this unknown that bonds them together. The Holy Spirit brings together like minded people who have had what I refer to as the "Step #12 Experience." They have had an encounter with the living God and their lives have been changed. It is this "Step #12 Experience" that is waiting for you. If you are either still in your addicition or have determined to stop, then the passage from Acts is what you have been looking for. You have to belong, but it's more than simply belonging.
In other words, if you want to live like this, you have to join in. You cannot sit back and wait for it to happen. I know it's scary out there and meeting new people doesn't always come easy for some, but the desire to possess this new way of living should be the fuel that causes you to interact and introduce yourself.
Celebrate Recovery's are a great way of meeting new people. Not only that, but Celebrate Recovery's are always looking for people to help. You can volunteer to set up chairs, or take up the offering. Maybe you could help serve the food or even clean up afterwards. The important thing is that you get out of your shell and began to be a part. Find you a good A.A. group. "Yes, Virginia, such an animal does exist."

Ask God to show you where you need to go.
He will direct your path....

God on you...
mb