One of the great paradoxes of the spiritual life:
We all know what the only requirement to be a member of Alcoholics Anonymous is. But there is another requirement that is unspoken but implied to live the spiritual life-surrender.
As long as I believe that I have any power, I have none.
When I surrender unconditionally and concede to my innermost heart of hearts that I am powerless, power flows in. And it is power to live by and sometimes it is more than I know what to do with. All of God's power is mine as long as I use it for what its for. A great statement of hope-"We have recovered and have been given the power to help others." That is what power is for. To use it for any other purpose is a waste of spirit.
Another paradox-I need power to live by, not to stay sober. The paradox is this: if I don't find a power by which I can live, I will not find a purpose to live and probably will drink. I was told that I didn't have to get good and that I didn't have to get smart, but if I can get useful I can keep on living. When I cease to be useful, it is probably time for me to leave.
Jim
Last edited by jimhere; 12-25-2007 at 11:01 PM.