Free!

 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. ~ Galatians 1:10 (NIV)

That the man who is making the approach has had the same difficulty, that he obviously knows what he is talking about, that his whole deportment shouts at the new prospect that he is a man with a real answer, that he has no attitude of Holier Than Thou, nothing whatever except the sincere desire to be helpful; that there are no fees to pay, no axes to grind, no people to please, no lectures to be endured – these are the conditions we have found most effective. (Alcoholics Anonymous, pages 18-19)

No people to please – how liberating!
I’ve tried all my life to please people,
to follow the rules,
to go with the flow,
to not make waves,
to blend in.
I’ve tried all my life to disappear,
to not be seen
at least not in a bad light,
a way that would reflect badly
on my parents,
my school,
my town,
my profession,
the church
I’ve now no people to please!
What you think of me
is none of my business!
What God thinks of me —
that’s my business.
But when I’m showing up,
asking him to tell me what to do
and doing it,
I’m free!

Free at last, free at last,
thanks, God, I’m free at last!

 

 

Galatians 3:10-12

For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM THEM.” Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “HE WHO PRACTICES THEM SHALL LIVE BY THEM.” ~ Galatians 3:10-12, The Lockman Foundation. New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 

Most of us sense that real tolerance of other people’s shortcomings and viewpoints and a respect for their opinions are attitudes which make us more useful to others. Our very lives, as ex-problem drinkers, depend upon our constant thought of others and how we may help meet their needs. ~ A.A. World Services Inc. Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition . A.A. World Services, Inc.. Kindle Edition.  

What does God want of me?
It feels like sometimes there's no way out.
If I try to follow the law --
God's laws or,
with self-reliance,
avoiding the pull of addiction,
I'm boxed in with no way
to find the proper path. 
But I'm not on my own.
God's here, ready, willing,
to direct my steps,
Upper Class Steps or lower case!
When working the Twelve Steps
or taking that next right step,
in either case (pun intended)
I'm not on my own. 

God, I offer myself to Thee,
– to build with me
and to do with me as Thou wilt.
Relieve me of the bondage of self,
that I may better do Thy will.
Take away my difficulties,
that victory over them
may bear witness to those I would help
of Thy Power,
Thy Love,
and Thy Way of Life.*

*Third Step Prayer

 

GALATIANS 4:17

Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them. ~ Galatians 4:17 New International Version (NIV)
I pushed a drink across the table. He refused it. Disappointed but curious, I wondered what had got into the fellow. He wasn't himself. 
"Come, what's all this about?" I queried. He looked straight at me. Simply, but smilingly, he said, "I've got religion." ~ Alcoholics Anonymous. page 9.

We are a program of of attraction,
not promotion. We offer you what we have,
and welcome you sincerely
if you decide you're one of us.
But if you don't want what we have
it's your decision.
We don't recruit to increase our numbers
or to put a notch in our belt.
We have found peace and fulfillment
and believe you can as well.
We believe you're likely to come back
when you're ready.
If you belong here
I'll do all I can to help,
mot as an expert
but as a fellow traveler.

God, give me the help
to communicate the joy
I've found in Recovery
and to offer a helping hand
whenever I can.

Galaians 3:8-9

Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. ~ Galaians 3:8-9 (Phillips New Testament)

 

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We found that as soon as we were able to lay aside prejudice and express even a willingness to believe in a Power greater than ourselves, we commenced to get results, even though it was impossible for any of us to fully define or comprehend that Power, which is God. ~ Alcoholics Anonymous, page 46.

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We, the intelligent,
the educated,
the leaders don't understand,
cannot make sense
of that which we know to be true.
We want to lead, to explain,
to interpret
the mystery that happened to us.
We understand
we've been here,
you're new
and you have questions
needing answers.
We can say, "It works!
The miracle happened,
is happening in our lives."
But to say more,
to give you resolution,
you'll just have to accept...
We can tell you it works,
that it did for us,
but just accept, believe.
and feel the miracle!

God, thank you for the change
we welcome,
forgive our
impulse to demand
understanding as well. 

Galatians 3:7

Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. ~ NIV

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Never talk down to an alcoholic from any moral or spiritual hilltop; simply lay out the kit of spiritual tools for his inspection. Show him how they worked with you. Offer him friendship and fellowship. Tell him that if he wants to get well you will do anything to help. ~ Alcoholics Anonymous, page 95

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We walk a new walk
that is old for others
but we who feel like dwarfs
and look on those well-placed
on the path
as giants on whose shoulders
we are allowed to stand.

Abraham was a man
plagued with doubt
prone to lie
questioning
but obeying
on whose life we look back
with twenty-twenty
hindsight
and admiration.
Those who went before
were not giants
nor are we when we've walked
some miles
but we must accept those
who see us as we perceived
or predecessors.

God, thank you for the progression
yielding progress
and heroes to emulate.

Galatians 3:6

So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” (NIV)

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We must lose our fear of creditors no matter how far we have to go, for we are liable to drink if we are afraid to face them. ~ Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition (Kindle Locations 1207-1208).

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Credit, debit,
it's a spectrum,
a swinging door,
a teeter-totter.
It's more fun to be the have
than the have not,
to be able to give
than to need to take.
But what if the chips
are not symbols of money
but are blessings
life righteousness,
like love,
like understanding?
It's more fun to be the have
then as well
especially
for we lose none
of the blessings we share.

God, thank you for flowing blessings.
Give me the wisdom to pass them no
and see them expand to us all.

Galatians 3:5-6 (added bonus)

Galatians 3:5-6

So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” (NTSB—check that, same as yesterday’s quote)

The doctor said: “You have the mind of a chronic alcoholic. I have never seen one single case recover, where that state of mind existed to the extent that it does in you.” Our friend felt as though the gates of hell had closed on him with a clang. 

He said to the doctor, “Is there no exception?” 

“Yes,” replied the doctor, “there is. Exceptions to cases such as yours have been occurring since early times. Here and there, once in a while, alcoholics have had what are called vital spiritual experiences. ~ Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 27

We’ve tried.

Followed the rules,

pursued the rabbit tracks,

tried and failed

again and again.

Willpower, resolution, determination, 

threatened consequences,

actual loss…

nothing works.

Is there no exception?

Yes.

Here and there

once in a while

it happens —

a vital spiritual experience.

We believe what we’ve heard

and miracles happen.

God, grant me serenity.

Grant me awareness

I’m powerless,

Give me a miracle.