In the scriptures we heard earlier, James was trying in his own way to provide advice to a set of new Christian Churches after his step brother, Jesus’ resurrection. The Way, as the early Christian movement was called to try and enlighten new Christians but also to manage and lead a whole new set of groups with their cultural and spiritual biases. It’s like every recovery meeting that was held in the building tonight – we all come with a story and history with God. So tonight, James provides us his unique perspective on how we maintain relationships with each other and with God. It also provides us insight into God’s will for us.
I have to be honest. I love the template that Bill and Bob put together for the recovery of a hopeless state of body and mind. It is a simple program but it is not easy. The program is simple in the directions but it can be hard in the implementation. It is hard because who wants to stand before a friend, or someone who might see you again, and share the depth of their failings in life. No one wants to talk about his or her resentments, fears, insecurities and secrets to another. It is just so deflating to the ego and even to the personal view we have of ourselves. But this is where real life begins. The moment I become willing to look at all of life (the good and the bad), I begin the process of becoming what God wants me to be. The process, of sharing it all, is admittance to myself and God that these facts are true. They say we write them down in step four as a way to admit them to ourselves and in step five; we share them with another as a way to free ourselves from the bondage that comes from within.
Some find it hard to do this. It is as if we don’t want to see the big picture or the truth of ourselves. I have many of person in recovery say, “do I really have to share this with you?” The answer from me is always the same, How free do you want to be? You see, sharing the luggage we carry around deep within our souls allows God’s love and light to shine in and heal. On page 75 of the Big book of AA, it states several results that happen as a result of working this step.
• First, we are delighted – happiness can return.
• Second, we regain our integrity and character because we are no longer in bondage to our defects or sins.
• Third, we gain perfect peace and ease about life or serenity.
• Fourth, we gain courage because our fears fall from us. All the luggage of life we have been carrying around is left at the feet of God.
• Finally, as a result, we begin a new relationship with the Creator of the universe.
A relationship built on reality. The reality of who we were, what we did, and why we did it: a relationship that provides us a distinct advantage as we trudge the road to happy destiny.
Marianne Williamson wrote:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
So, I end this with a question, if you have never done a fifth or haven’t done one in a while, How free do you want a be? How strong do you want to become?
If you would like to know more about the author: https://communitycenter.life/rev-robert-butler-info
