Christian 12 Steps
Step Twelve: Service
By G. Neil Armstrong
Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
3) Have he 12 steps helped to restore you gently?
This question seemed peculiar to me. To restore something implies that I be made back into a former state of wholeness. It is my understanding that I may not have ever been whole. There was a time in my life when I was not at fault, and I was not held accountable. It is likely, though, that I have never experienced wholeness, nor have I witnessed it.
It is possible that even my interpretation of wholeness and restoration is heavily tainted by a fantastic unreasonable desire or idea of “ideal” or perfect and upright man. How can I ever know if I see clearly, or through a glass darkly, as described in 1 Corinthians 13:12?
Could it be that more blessed am I, who has not seen, yet I believe? I hope so. For me, it’s always about hope. Am I restored, though? I mean, is the “dys” gone from my “functional” life?
I feel like I can describe Adam’s Apple Sin because now I know with certainty what the sin life is. Can I ever be as incorruptible? God’s word tells me I can – all over the place. But, is it, has it, or will it ever be gentle? As far as I know, God’s word has never promised, nor suggested any thing like gentle restoration.
Broken and contrite heart doesn’t sound simple. If I ever come close to such a thing as broken and contrite of heart, I am sure it did not feel gentle.
I’m not going to hope for gentle restoration. I hope for absolute and complete finality in Solid Onward Walk; to faint not; to endure until the end. Sever what will not come clean, because wholeness of body is not as important as wholeness in spirit and soul. Brokenness in heart is the only sort of restoration that I know of that can endure to the end and enter the fullness of joy – the Holy of Holy – heaven with God – forever.
Brokenness is the only means to wholeness.
Tuesday, November 03: 2009
