Every morning I receive, in my email, a thought for the day from the Society of Saint John the Evangelist. Yesterday's thought, written by Brother Curtis Almquist, struck me as being particularly meaningful for those of us in 12-step programs.
"The metaphor that Jesus uses in the Gospels to describe forgiveness is the setting free of a prisoner; it’s to “unbind” someone. Without this, someone is simply chained to their past – probably to repeat their past – and shackled from changing. They will likely stay the same, as will we, their judges."
Without surrendering to my higher power, without working the steps of the program, without the daily support of other members of the program, I will stay chained to my past, and risk repeating my past actions.
When I became part of the program, I didn't want to stay the same. I wanted to change. I wanted what the other members of the program had. So I was told what I needed to do. I needed to stop drinking, go to meetings, get a sponsor, and work the steps. It isn't complicated. But it isn't always easy. I take it one day at a time.
Today I feel like I am unbound. I am no longer chained to the past. I have the power of choice. I am grateful that I know which path to choose. And I have no fear of being judged, because I know that I'm doing the right things.
"The metaphor that Jesus uses in the Gospels to describe forgiveness is the setting free of a prisoner; it’s to “unbind” someone. Without this, someone is simply chained to their past – probably to repeat their past – and shackled from changing. They will likely stay the same, as will we, their judges."
Without surrendering to my higher power, without working the steps of the program, without the daily support of other members of the program, I will stay chained to my past, and risk repeating my past actions.
When I became part of the program, I didn't want to stay the same. I wanted to change. I wanted what the other members of the program had. So I was told what I needed to do. I needed to stop drinking, go to meetings, get a sponsor, and work the steps. It isn't complicated. But it isn't always easy. I take it one day at a time.
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