Spiritual Poverty

TRUTH

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:3

REFLECTION

This idea of being "poor in spirit" sounds like some kind of spiritual pity party.

But it's not about wallowing in self-loathing, it's about admitting you don't have all the answers, or even all the strength.

For a while, I tried to muscle my way through life.

Then, I thought I could white-knuckle my sobriety. I thought I could control everything.

That was a quick recipe for failure.

I started to understand what it means to be poor in spirit in the hindsight of willingness.

It's when I finally realized that all my self-reliance was just a mask. It was hiding an empty hand. A hand that desperately needed to be filled.

It’s when I finally admitted that I don’t have what it takes on my own. I'm not smart enough. I'm not strong enough. I'm not good enough. I'm broken.

And that's okay, because being broken is the very thing that allows me to be open.

I was finally positioned to accept help, love and grace.

I didn’t have to be perfect. I didn't have to have it all figured out.

I just had to be willing to be empty, to let go of my illusion of control and allow something bigger to fill me.

This spiritual poverty turns out to be the richest state of all.

God, help me to keep my hands open.

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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