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Daily Reflections: Faith and Works

"BY FAITH AND BY WORKS"
On anvils of experience, the structure of our Society was hammered out. . . . Thus has it been with A.A. By faith and by works we have been able to build upon the lessons of an incredible experience. They live today in the Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous, which — God willing — shall sustain us in unity for so long as He may need us.
— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 131
God has allowed me the right to be wrong in order for our Fellowship to exist as it does today. If I place God's will first in my life, it is very likely that A.A. as I know it today will remain as it is.
Today's reflection is focused pretty intently on the nature of the AA fellowship. As I read this, I look for the parts that apply to my life.
It reminds me of the quotes I've read recently that there are no mistakes/failures.  Only success, and learning.  So long as I learn what went awry, why, and how I can STOP getting in my own way, then mistakes are acceptable: "I have the right to be wrong."
It also reminds me what I've said: I value what little wisdom I have because it came at such a high cost. Thus, I need to value the wisdom of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, because of the cumulative pain/cost they were born from, and for the cumulative joy they have brought about.

I am not searching for an easier, soft way.  The 12 and 12 provide me a tried and true framework for living that will keep me from ever sinking into the self-seeking, self-destructive way of life that defined my alcoholism.

Comments

  1. UnknownOctober 25, 2016 at 7:18 PM

    This is a very powerful message! I particularly enjoyed where it said, "God has allowed me the right to be wrong in order for our Fellowship to exist as it does today. If I place God's will first in my life, it is very likely that A.A. as I know it today will remain as it is."

    During the first 18 months of my sobriety, I attended every single group conscience meeting at my home group. Although the matters we discuss may appear trivial to some, they are of the utmost importance. I recall sitting in a group conscience where it was proposed that we change the closing reading "the promises" to "the ninth step promises." I vehemently opposed this change because all I had known in my sobriety was "the promises." The measure passed and the name was changed to "the ninth step promises." I was very upset about this change! Later, a few new closing readings were added such as "a vision for you" and "the tenth step promises." How ignorant I had been! I had been so myopic on the 9th step promises that I had come to believe those were the only promises in the big book. I'm grateful that I had the opportunity to be wrong here and to stay sober. The group is an amazing thing and we must always remember that we share a common goal!

    There are many other changes that I have witnessed in my home group's group conscience. The point is that we must remember to place principles above personalities. We must rely on one another to remain sober and to pass this program on to our sponsees in the same manner it was passed to us.

    I encourage to attend your home group's group conscience and experience all that occurs in that wonderful environment.

    ReplyDelete

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