Galatians 2:7-8

On the contrary, they recognized that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised. For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle to the circumcised, was also at work in me as an apostle to the Gentiles. (NIV)

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When you discover a prospect for Alcoholics Anonymous, find out all you can about him. If he does not want to stop drinking, don't waste time trying to persuade him. You may spoil a later opportunity. This advice is given for his family also. They should be patient, realizing they are dealing with a sick person. (Alcoholics Anonymous, page 90)

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Who cares who carries the message

so long as the carrying is done?

Well, I must admit to the lingering conviction

a message not channelled through me

must of necessity be inferior.

What if explanations lack the pertinence,

applicability, feel irrelevant?

Who will invigorate the word,

encapsulate Nirvana?

So, what makes me believe in me but my arrogance,

my ego?

It's not my message to carry.

I am a tool, available for use

in building.

My bondage to self, my difficulties 

are removed, and victory over them

may humiliate me 

yet 

be the message to be carried.

God, who cares who carries the message?

Let be true I don't.

Let me be willing

to be humbled

and used.

Galatians 2:6

As for those who were held in high esteem — whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism — they added nothing to my message. (NIV)

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An alcoholic who has recovered, but holds a relatively unimportant job, can talk to a man with a better position. Being on a radically different basis of life, he will never take advantage of the situation. (Alcoholics Anonymous: the "Big Book," Kindle Locations 1861-1862, "To Employers")

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Wisdom has nothing to do

with intelligence, education.

Recovery doesn't come by degrees

made up of letters and periods.

Intelligent we are in many respects

but insane – lunatics —

where addiction is involved.

certain simple things,

commence on a simpler level, 

follow a few simple rules.

Simple, not easy, achieved only

with the destruction of

self-centeredness.

Then comes wisdom,

when intelligence, education, 

experience have become tools

of simplicity.

God, please block my smarts
until I grasp simplicity.

Galatians 2:4-5

This matter arose because some false believers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. (NIV)

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Soon A.A. was beset by these very problems on every side and in every group. But out of this frightening and at first disrupting experience the conviction grew that A.A.’s had to hang together or die separately. We had to unify our Fellowship or pass off the scene. (Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book Kindle Locations 97-99, foreword to the second edition.)

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Holding on to truth, holding out for purity

staying the course

without apostasy.

Truth wields a mighty sword, impervious, 

indestructible

yet truth can fall to insidious mutation,

to good intentions, to obfuscating clarification.

A good thing, a godly thing, a god thing 

we have here.

God knows how we can keep it!

God, save us from the conviction 

we can always tweak

something for the better.

Galatians 2:3

And they supported me and did not even demand that my companion Titus be circumcised, though he was a Gentile. (NLT)

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He may demand that the family find God in a hurry, or exhibit amazing indifference to them and say he is above worldly considerations. He may tell mother, who has been religious all her life, that she doesn't know what it's all about, and that she had better get his brand of spirituality while there is yet time. (Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 128)

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Running the show,

setting the rules,

 being in charge,

taking command.
This is how recovery works,
and you better do it right.
No.
They are suggestions, not commands.
It's how we did it,
how many have found recovery
but you may find a different
road to the same place.
This one works for me.
I love you and hope you find
a path as right for you
as I have found for me.

God, let me understand
I'm not in control.
Help me to do your will
and be open to it differing
from what I think it is.

Galatians 2:1-2

Then fourteen years later I went back to Jerusalem again, this time with Barnabas; and Titus came along, too. I went there because God revealed to me that I should go. While I was there I met privately with those considered to be leaders of the church and shared with them the message I had been preaching to the Gentiles. I wanted to make sure that we were in agreement, for fear that all my efforts had been wasted and I was running the race for nothing. (NLT)

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Nothing would please us so much as to write a book which would contain no basis for contention or argument. We shall do our utmost to achieve that ideal. (Alcoholics Anonymous, page 19)

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United, a common front,

of one mind.
Consensus?
Majority?
Plurality?
We are a diverse group,
people who would not ordinarily mix
yet there's a friendliness,
a fellowship,
an understanding
uniting us,
divergent people
facing a common problem,
a problem so huge,
so overwhelming,
so devastating
difference makes no difference.

God, in recovery
I'm no longer different,
no longer alone,
among friends I've never met,
in the in-crowd. Thanks.

Galatians 1:21-24

Then I went to Syria and Cilicia. I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they praised God because of me. (NIV)

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After several failures to find others, a fourth turned up. He came through an acquaintance who had heard the good news. (Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 158)

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Our reputation precedes us,
follows us,
defines us among people we'll never meet.
What do they say of us?
Does it matter?
"What you think of me
is none of my business."
But is it really true?
Does it matter what people say?
What if they say it about me
as a member of the fellowship?
What if my behavior
is the only view some people have
of the rooms?
Do they stay away,
not wanting what we have?
Do they praise God
because of me?

God, let me be an instrument
of your peace.

Galatians 1:18-20

Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days. I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord’s brother. I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie. (NIV)

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We are greatly indebted to the doctor in attendance there, for he, although it might prejudice his own work, has told us of his belief in ours. (Alcoholics Anonymous, page 162)

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Older, wiser,

or at least more experienced.

We're not alone,

not required to rely

on ourselves,

to look to God and no human.

More will be revealed,

not only through prayer and meditation.

Revelation comes through folk

of all ilk,

not just older, wiser.

Sometimes through fools,

though the mouths of babes. 

God can use anybody —

especially when I'm convinced

I'm better, smarter, more advanced

than God's chosen.

God, thanks for lessons,
both the content and
the messenger.