Conduct

TRUTH

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.

James‬ ‭3‬:‭13

REFLECTION

The problem with our quick interpretations of the Bible is that we dismiss it as weak, irrelevant, or outdated.

We look for the differences and dismiss the heart of the text.

I do it too. I hope I’m getting better, but it’s still sometimes hard to read and apply to my life without an eyeroll here and there.

I believe this is more an indictment on me than the text, though. I give my quick assessments too much credit. I don’t dwell in the Word long enough to dig out the real applications for my life.

James is often easier to read simply because of how many great one-liners there are. Recovery literature owes a debt to many concepts ripped out of this New Testament wisdom book.

But there’s richness below the surface too.

If I’m to grasp even a piece of wisdom, I must, by definition, experience much of life and also let those experiences form and direct my future steps.

To do this well I must do it with what James calls the “meekness of wisdom”. This isn’t a yawn-inducing complacency; it’s a loving, observant willingness to act with vigor and goodness.

We are bogged down with ego when we arrive in recovery. But it can persist for years if left unchecked.

I had nothing to do with meekness for several of my early years.

My hope today is that I slow down enough to identify the things I can contribute to and attack them with levelheaded love.

God, give me meekness in my steps and fire in my heart.

SPONSOR

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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
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