Spiritual Awakening

[jenjram]

I am so incredible blessed that God had both the grace to accept and forgive me when I sought him and that I experienced my spiritual awakening in AA so early on, or half way in my step work. My life has changed in amazing ways, and I now know there is a God and I have such a deep faith.

I know they say in AA that everyone has a spiritual awakening, but is everyone's similar in intensity? The person I am is rapidly changing to be giving, loving and wanted to be good in God's eyes. This is a far cry from a year ago when I was selfish, proud and couldn't take much "God talk".

I recently was talking to a friend who implied that some people just follow what is suggested and the only result is not drinking....which in and of itself is good. But what has happened in my life is so incredible, I cannot even explain it to my husband.

Now, I am very active in my church, incredibly giving and am planning on going to seminary.

What do you think? Do some people really seem to connect with God and others no?

[best]

12 men started out following Jesus and the numbers grew. When Jesus was placed on the cross where were they all? When Jesus returned from the grave... all but Judas had their eyes opened. (Judas was gone at that point)
To the degree we see His grace in our life is what I feel gives us the degree of awakening. It isn't the depth of our sins but the depth of our remorse and gratitude. The depth we go to in our humbleness.
Some see the blessing in full measure, some don't see the blessings at all.

Matthew 18

4Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

and

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"

22Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.[f]

23"Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.

26"The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' 27The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

28"But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.

29"His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'

30"But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.

32"Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' 34In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

[cmc]

Hi,
Reading your post makes me think that you have become born again which I see as step beyond our acceptance of His salvation.
He calls me to Himself and then calls me again to a closer relationship that is far deeper. I don't view it as merely a decision I make, but another way that He shows me that I truly am His child.
What you are experiencing is very precious and I'm so happy for you!
Thanks for sharing your testimony with us.

[jenjram]

That's interesting cmc because I always never understood what born again meant. After this happened to me, I totally got it. But because of my alcoholism, I don't want to scare people off with my "excitement". I know that excitement makes addicts scatter, especially if they are still in active addiction.

What is interesting is that I was trying to sort it all out in my mind....why do some people feel this relationship and others just merely accept his salvation and never feel more?

[cmc]

why do some people feel this relationship and others just merely accept his salvation and never feel more?

That's a hard question to anwer, but I guess it's mostly grace and mercy and a little bit of willingness.