From
the get go on this topic, we definitely need to understand that the peace
that is available in the anonymous program of recovery is internal.
Some call it peace of mind. And we surely do not need to get ahead
of ourselves. Eventhough our higher power states that he has a peace
that is available to us, which the world cannot take from us, his peace is
actually a by product of working the steps, in order.
Any
of y'all ever heard
that some work the program like a line in a cafeteria, taking what they
want, but skipping some of the best and healthiest foods, in the line? That is fine
by me, if they are successful at abstinence.
However,
we do not believe that the full benefits will be available, until our
higher power is satisfied with our earnest, wholehearted, and altruistic
effort, to the best of our individual ability. One of the best
things about our program of recovery is that competition is not
allowed. God only allows working together with one heart and one
mind. Most of us really do need a brain washing though, as well as a
change of heart. The next best things about the steps is that they
are numbered, in order.
And
in addition to working the steps, we, in time, must begin to incorporate
the traditions into our individual lives also. At over twelve years
into abstinence, remember receiving a spiritual message, "It is time
for you to start understanding the traditions." Upon closer
inspections, happened to be in a group that had over twenty meetings per
week, and over two hundred active members. Each week, one or more of
the traditions were violated, sometimes a few times each week, by us not
very well informed members.
Now,
let us bring forth the truth of what the literature states, on page eighty
three, and eighty four, that relates to the topic of this web page.
It is important to note that this is in the ninth step area of recovery.
If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be
amazed before we are half way through. We are going to know a new
freedom and a new happiness. We will not regret the past nor wish to
shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will
know peace. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we
will see how our experience can benefit others. That feeling of
uselessness and self-pity will disappear. We will lose interest in
selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Self-seeking will slip
away. Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change. Fear of
people and of economic insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively
know how to handle situations which used to baffle us. We will suddenly
realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.
Are these extravagant promises? We think not.
They are being fulfilled among us - sometimes quickly, sometimes
slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them.
John 14:26-27 (NLT)
"But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the
Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I
have told you.
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I
give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid."
Now,
let us reveal several more aspects of what peace has implications of, in
the spiritual realm. First, let us state how liberal most religions
are, relative to all that state, "Peace on earth and good will to all
men." Who in their right mind believes that the violent
criminal element on this planet are even eligible, much less deserving of
peace. The actual scripture states, in Luke 2:14:
“Glory to God in highest
heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
Next
is the fact that we have to work for the promises, in a round about way by
actually doing the steps, and practicing the spiritual principles:
"God blesses those who work for
peace, for they will be called the children of God." (Matt
5:9)
They
will always materialize if we work for them. This
refers to the promises mentioned on page eighty-four, in the bigbook.
But
please be careful who you listen to, in all of the anonymous meetings,
around the globe. Was in a meeting, a few years ago, and heard
someone say that it is ok to tell a lie about something, in order to get
a driver's license back. Folks, honesty is the spiritual principle
behind the first step. And we can not turn honesty off and on, like
water in a spigot, if we earnestly
desire to receive help from God, through our heavenly father. And this is
the reason for the caution. The person that said that had over
twenty years of abstinence, when he said it.
The
principle of honesty also applies to applications for insurance, as well
as applications for employment. Jesus says, "I
am truth."
If it does not come from Jesus, it comes from the evil one. Let us
reveal John 14:6:
Jesus
answered, "I
am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father
except through me.
Any
of you all ever heard, "We have to learn how to live locally, but
affect globally?" Since this is an anonymous program, we have
to learn how to effect globally, anonymously, relative to working for peace.
One way to do that is through prayer, but at the same time, not writing
any specifications to God, as to how he should go about achieving
same. We have found that the best way, for us, is to claim God's
holy word, by speaking it into the ether.
"I
have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this
world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the
world." (John
16:33 NIV)
