A.A. work is one hundred percent voluntary. It depends on each and every one of our members to volunteer to do his or her share. Newcomers can sit on the sidelines until they have got over their nervousness and confusion. They have a right to be helped by all, until they can stand on their own feet. But the time inevitably comes when they have to speak up and volunteer to do their share in meetings and in twelfth step work. Until that time comes, they are not a vital part of A.A. They are only in the process of being assimilated. Has my time come to volunteer?
Meditation For The Day
God's kingdom on earth is growing slowly, like a seed in the ground. In the growth of his kingdom there is always progress among the few who are out ahead of the crowd. Keep striving for something better and there can be no stagnation in your life. Eternal life, abundant life is yours for the seeking. Do not mis-spend time over past failures. Count the lessons earned from failures as rungs upon the ladder of progress. Press onward toward the goal.
Prayer For The Day
I pray that I may be willing to grow. I pray that I may keep stepping up on the rungs of the ladder of life.
In the growth of his kingdom there is always progress among the few who are out ahead of the crowd. That ties in with a theme that has been on my heart, as I face hurdle after hurdle in simple day to day life. The passage describing the walk on water was not a fairy tale or an impressive magic trick. The person who lived the most purpose driven life ever among men did nothing but that it left an example for us to follow. Sounds like a mouthful and a tall order, considering some of these feats and deeds. But how many of us, looking back, did just that, walk on water in faith, as we laid claim to our freedom from alcohol? How many of us trully recognize how much we are allready walking in water and supplemented by God's own mighty power as we face another hurdle in life, and face another decision. Cave in to self pity and despair and sink, or take another step out onto thin air, trusting the hand of God holds ours.
Many of us find, in the impossible wreckage our drunkeness has left, that walking on water can be simply living. Facing day to day struggles that we have never been capable of dealing with, and looking back, find it was not through our own power that we accomplished these things. We are the bread and butter of this kingdom. Many of the most godly of God's kids will never have headlines screaming their names, never run a giant church, never have the reknown of a Benny Hinn or even be much recognized outside of our groups, churches, or the circle of fellowship we find as we do our work, but will share in the love and reward in the changed lives of those we touch. Once lost, and now found, will be our claim to fame. And then we have those like Bill W., who stepped out on that thin air, or stepped out of the boat, began strolling along on through the waves and never looked back. And in doing, found promotion after promotion, while paving the way for millions.
Many of us find ourselves thrashing back to the boat, but you can bet theres a hand waiting to pull you back out, dry you off, and give you another shot.
