We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
I love Step #11....
I think it is something that goes beyond the world of addiction.
Remember that all addiction stems from sin.
We've been born with that old nature that tugs at us to live outside the will of God.
Every addiction begins with a choice that is made.
It doesn't matter what the drug or drink of choice is...We choose to reject God and embrace our own will's desire.
First part of the Step?
We!
The acknowledgement that WE belong to a group that is trying to get life back on track by following a few simple steps. The steps are not magic...the steps are not some kind of cosmic mantra that will purge us of our desire to use. The steps are simple directions what aid us in this new relationship with have with our creator. The steps are discipline that help us in our daily life. Without my relationship to God....I am merely trying to overcome this heart problem in my own strength. Bottom line is you can't work step #1, which states that we are powerless, that our lives have become unmanageable, and then turn around and decide that you are also the solution. Doesn't work that way.
Next part of Step # 11....
Sought through prayer and meditation....
Basically it says that we are not only going to talk to God...but we are going to listen for Him to speak to us. We are going to focus our hearts and minds and listen for Him. It's not as hard as it seems, believe me.
What next?
To improve our conscious contact with God....
This comes through simply being aware that God is indeed communicating with you. We find meetings and gatherings of other like minded people who are also on this journey. We connect! We establish relationship with others We listen to their stories, as well as share our own. This brings encouragement to keep on......and we might actually learn a few things.
We read and study our Bible.
Start in the Gospels .....Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. See how Jesus interacted with the people, and take close notice of how they came to Him with their problems.
Keep going..what's next in Step # 11?
Praying only for knowledge of His will for us...
Not our will...remember we turned that nasty thing over to the care of God back in Step #3.
Our will has taken us down that dark road to destruction. Not going back there....
And last but certainly not least....
And the power to carry that out....
God is not going to call us into something and then not enable us to carry it out.
He is not taking your out of the old sin/life and not giving you the ability to walk out this new way of thinking and living.
Just a little refresher to remind us of the incredible life God has waiting if we will turn to Him.
As I have heard many in recovery say, "The worst day sober is better than the best day of my old life"
Ain't that the truth. I'd like to leave you with the Step #11 prayer.
God on you....
michael b.
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