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Finding Christmas
Dec. 11, 2016
For Christians in recovery, Christmas truly is a celebration of He who has saved us from our powerlessness over alcohol or drugs. What we have found is that Christ has, indeed, removed our cravings and redirected our self destructive path. By working through the 12 Steps in their entirety, we experience what was truly meant by Step 2.
Step 2 – Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Isaiah 7: 9 – If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.
Pastor Brian’s message was certainly more broad as we approach another Christmas celebration, but for those of us in recovery our faith and unwavering believe/knowledge that God will, and has, restored us to sanity provides us a daily reprieve. We can never forget that we, left to our own devices, are powerless over alcohol and drugs. Our reliance upon The Great Physician is absolute and complete.
Pastor Brian emphasized another key point that rings true particular for us. Fear is a very specific danger for those of us in recovery. Fear often provided the motivation to drink or drug. Remaining steadfast in turning life and will over to the care of God (Step 3) is our daily objective. Fear is an obstacle.
Isaiah 7: 4 – Be careful, keep calm and don’t be afraid. Do not lose heart because of … smoldering stubs of firewood.
I love how this metaphor applies to our daily lives. How often did I over-react to situations that were really nothing more than “smoldering stubs of firewood.” To be honest, I believe I sought out these situations which inevitably led to another night at the bars. This scripture combined with the absolute knowledge that God will restore me to sanity insures that I remain surrendered to God’s will. My prayer need only be that God reveal His will for me and give me the power to carry it out.