Recovery and Alcohol Part 1 One of the highest forms of flattery is to copy someone else.  Recently I have had the opportunity to attend an AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) meeting.  At the meeting they start off by reading “The Twelve Steps” and the “Twelve Traditions.”  These ideas are not new; but as I believe you will see, these principles are from God.  God has firstly shared these principles with all humanity in His book the Bible.  God, having created us in His image, knows us; and he knows what we need to know about ourselves and how we work.   Taboos are subjects which often we do not feel comfortable talking about.  We are tempted to just sweep them under the carpet.  It is not politically correct to talk openly about alcoholism.  Christians, in case you have not noticed it, it also is not  politically correct to talk about sin.  Like other sins, alcoholism (drunkenness) needs to be talked about and confronted so that those caught up in this sin can know they can have a victory over their struggle.  Those of us who may not have this struggle need to know what we can do and how we can help those around us who struggle with this or any other sin.   Consider now “The Twelve Steps”, and see how these steps have some         practicality in overcoming any sin. 1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol – that our lives had become unmanageable.  Observe that for one to be converted to Christ one must first       acknowledge  that  they  have a problem, “sin”, that  they by  themselves  can  not handle.   In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus speaks to such broken people when he pronounces a blessing   upon the  poor  in spirit for their ultimate potential is the  kingdom of heaven (Mt. 5:3).  Sadly, most in the world today would rather stonewall or pretend that their sin problem is no problem at all.  They have no healing, and  being  in denial set  themselves up for further self-destruction. 2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. “Because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made even His eternal power and Godhead so that they are without excuse.” (Rom. 1:19-20).  God has instilled in all His creation the understanding that they are created by Him.  Many seeking to exalt self are angry and frustrated choosing to reject God and His love. 3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we       understood Him.  The alcoholic and the sinner who comes to Christ come to a point in life where they know they need to turn to someone for help.  AA, being a non-religious organization, seeks to reach out to help people with the problem of alcohol. Some alcoholics are agnostics or atheists.  These might be some who have been scared by so called religious people.  These must be dealt with gently.  Most people, however, do understand that there is a higher power called God.  The alcoholic is encouraged (and we Christians encourage all) to develop an on going, seeking and searching mindset to develop a real, supportive relationship with God.  Crisis often forces us to confront some of the changes that we know we need to make for the betterment of our lives. 4. Make a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.  This inventory    process must be truthful and open and honest.  It is just like dealing with cancer.    After the tests (inventory) the doctors know some certain facts.  The doctor does not always come to you and  say the words you want to hear.  A good doctor tells you what you NEED to hear.  That is what the inventory is about.  Recovery is costly many times.  We need to prepare ourselves to PAY THE PRICE.  Jesus says three times in Luke 14:25-33 that people can NOT be his disciple if they will not pay the price required.  This obviously is difficult, and because of our human frailty we are tempted to turn away from this as being too much.   Great courage is required to move forward to gain the illusive victory sought. 5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.   Christians, like alcoholics, are required by God to attend an evaluation  meeting with Christ every Sunday.  At this meeting, as sinners we acknowledge our personal need for ongoing help and rejoice in our ongoing relationship with the body of Christ (His church) and the blood sacrifice that was made for us at the cross.  These things empower and strengthen us to live a better life week by week as we    prepare for the ultimate victory of heaven itself.  “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup” (1 Cor. 11:28).  Our Sunday custom after the sermon is to sing an invitation song.  If special needs or prayer concerns need to be considered, as a family we must encourage one another this way. 6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.  Instead of being ignorant and aloof toward God, one is encouraged to “let go and let God!”  The alcoholic and the sinner have done their best to work out their problems with their own limited power.  They have come to the point in their lives where they realize they need help.  For the Christian, God is spoken of as “our Helper” (Heb. 13:6).  God does not overwhelm us and take away our individuality.  He just helps us to be the better person we want to be.