Pacts

TRUTH

For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

2 Chronicles‬ ‭16‬:‭9‬a

REFLECTION

The temptation at the beginning is to concede complete failure and feel worthless.

A bit of that spirit is probably appropriate.

But, if we stay worthless and broken without allowing ourselves to heal, what was the purpose of stopping? This just becomes a brief respite on our self-centered path.

Arresting our addictions becomes merely the entryway for opportunity. Now we begin to see clearer than we’ve been able to.

The clarity brings the pain of realization—I was ashamed of the things I’d said and done to get to that broken place.

Reparations must necessarily be made, but in the dim mornings of a newfound sobriety we aren’t completely sold on, we do well to remember some big but simple truths.

God actually cares. He seeks us and has been seeking us all along.

He will wait for us, but we must turn some things over to His care.

And now we get to the bad news.

He doesn’t want a piece of our lives. He doesn’t want to just rescue us from addiction. He doesn’t want to chat in the morning and then let us run amok in some new self-serving way throughout the day.

He wants the whole thing.

He is available for a full rescue, but going to Him halfheartedly will accomplish little more than a brief reprieve from the life we thought we were committed to turning our back on.

We see it over and over. After a stint of feeling better, people return to the misery of their old ways because they’re not willing to give all of themselves.

I’m not much better. I’m a work in progress striving to give it all while still holding on to bits of myself almost every day.

In this, I thank God that perfection isn’t required. It can’t be.

But I can offer my whole heart to Him daily.

God, I’m committed; help me stay that way.

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NEXT

When you’re ready, here are some tools for you:

1. Book List (amazon link)
   Some of my favorite reads related to recovery and/or wrestling with faith.

2. 4th Step Guide (free download)
   A PDF with instructions and worksheets for a thorough 4th step. Straight from the Big Book. Fearlessness not included.

3. 12-Step Christianity (YouTube)
   My thoughts on the parallels between discipleship and sponsorship.

KEEP LEANING FORWARD

Cheers, Eamonn
Contact on LinkedIn, YouTube & Twitter.