If you have returned for part two of this missive I hope you are here with an open mind. If you didn't read part one you may want to take a couple of minutes and read http://cluelessat50.blogspot.com/2011/03/pressed-down-and-shaken-together.html
"It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age (emphasis mine), while we wait for the blessed hope.... eager to do what is good (again, emphasis mine)." (Titus 2:12-14)
The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous quotes the Bible when it states that "faith without works is dead." True enough, but I think more is at work here. In yesterday's post I stated that the proof of the awakening is the result of the awakening. How is that? If I have undergone any type of change (say from selfish, self-serving a**wipe to a reasonable facsimile of a decent human being), might there be some evidence of that change? Shouldn't there be something to demonstrate that I am not the same? Might that be a change in attitude from what I was to what I am now? And might that attitude reflect a giving, caring person, one who endeavors to "give away what he has so freely received?"
To long for the return of Christ is to long for the conditions that will prevail on His return. That longing compels me to live my belief. If I long for a world free from hunger I must try to feed the hungry. If I want mercy, I must be merciful. If I believe in peace I must be peaceful.
And these are the measuring cups by which I have received the promised spiritual awakening. I receive love by loving, forgiveness by forgiving; and it leaves me eager to do what is good. To create a heaven-on-earth, in this present age, I can only do my part. But I get to live in a world that increases my satisfaction exponentially for my efforts. And this heaven here is only a taste of the treasures I am storing up.
The twelve steps, as I have come to understand them, were designed to re-connect me with a God I had abandoned, by giving me a glimpse of how His plan works in a [relatively] controlled environment. So equipped, I can carry that experience out of my self-absorbed world and into His universe.
Expressions like, "You can't keep it unless you give it away," fall short of my reality. Having had a spiritual awakening, the change in my life makes it improbable I will attempt to keep it, because whatever I am giving away seems to come back in multiples of my measurement. My God is like that. I would bet yours is, too. Dare you to take Him up on the offer.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Pressed Down And Shaken Together
I've been asked a number of times recently to account for my positive attitude. On the surface, to many my situation seems dire, and I refuse to expound upon it. In truth, I can't completely explain my belief that my automatic response of, "I've just never had it so good," to queries about my life will actually make everything better.
I suppose it is a result of my "having had a spiritual awakening." As I have come to understand such awakenings, they are best examined in the light of the results they produce in a life. The proof of the awakening is the result of the awakening.
My admission of powerlessness and decision to pursue the spiritual solution has led me on a path more gratifying than I'd dreamed or imagined. It began with the gift of hope borne of desperation. Hope has made me a man of passion and compassion. It has allowed me to re-prioritize my personal and public life.
My faith in God, belief in His son Jesus and the gift of the Holy Spirit has made a number of spiritual principles manifest n my life. Chief among those today is that I cannot out-give God. And He demonstrates that to me in so many ways.
In seeking recovery from alcoholism and addiction, were I to have received only sobriety I would have been overpaid for my efforts. But through a regular practice of the twelfth step, my spiritual awakening my spiritual awakening continues to expand and fill my world, actually crowds me out of that universe of one, nudging me into His world. And in His world, the limit exceeds my sky.
"'Test me in this,' says the Lord Almighty, 'and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.'" (Malachi 3:10) I'd read that passage before, drunk and sober, and never been willing to take God up on His offer. After all, it seemed arrogant to stand before the Creator of the Universe and call His bluff.
"Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38) I realize that my limitation in receiving God's blessings has been my own definition of my measure.
I've always assumed that God's measurement and mine (the world's, perhaps?) were the same device; money. After all, isn't that what I hear people, churches, agencies, governments clamoring for? How wrong could I have been? Check back tomorrow and I'll fill you in.
I suppose it is a result of my "having had a spiritual awakening." As I have come to understand such awakenings, they are best examined in the light of the results they produce in a life. The proof of the awakening is the result of the awakening.
My admission of powerlessness and decision to pursue the spiritual solution has led me on a path more gratifying than I'd dreamed or imagined. It began with the gift of hope borne of desperation. Hope has made me a man of passion and compassion. It has allowed me to re-prioritize my personal and public life.
My faith in God, belief in His son Jesus and the gift of the Holy Spirit has made a number of spiritual principles manifest n my life. Chief among those today is that I cannot out-give God. And He demonstrates that to me in so many ways.
In seeking recovery from alcoholism and addiction, were I to have received only sobriety I would have been overpaid for my efforts. But through a regular practice of the twelfth step, my spiritual awakening my spiritual awakening continues to expand and fill my world, actually crowds me out of that universe of one, nudging me into His world. And in His world, the limit exceeds my sky.
"'Test me in this,' says the Lord Almighty, 'and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.'" (Malachi 3:10) I'd read that passage before, drunk and sober, and never been willing to take God up on His offer. After all, it seemed arrogant to stand before the Creator of the Universe and call His bluff.
"Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38) I realize that my limitation in receiving God's blessings has been my own definition of my measure.
I've always assumed that God's measurement and mine (the world's, perhaps?) were the same device; money. After all, isn't that what I hear people, churches, agencies, governments clamoring for? How wrong could I have been? Check back tomorrow and I'll fill you in.
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