Transcript

The God Idea · Sober Readings

Scott Hayes: Good morning and welcome to Sober Readings for Sunday, March 15th. Today's reading from Daily Reflections. God Idea. When we saw others solve their problems by a simple reliance upon the spirit of the universe, we had to stop doubting the power of God. Our ideas did not work, but the God Idea did. That's from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, page 52. Like a blind man gradually being restored to sight, I slowly groped my way to the third step. Having realized that only a power greater than myself could rescue me from the hopeless abyss I was in, I knew that this was a power that I had to grasp, and that it would be my anchor in the myths of a sea of woes. Even though my faith at that time was minuscule, it was big enough to make me see that it was time for me to discard my reliance on my prideful ego and replace it with the steadying strength that could only come from a power far greater than myself. Today's reading from 24 Hours. March 15, AA Thought for the Day. We alcoholics were on a merry-go-round, going round and round, and we couldn't get off. That merry-go-round is a kind of hell on earth. In AA, I got off that merry-go-round by learning to stay sober. I pray to that higher power every morning to help me to keep sober. And I get the strength from that power to do what I could never do with my own strength. I do not doubt the existence of that power. We're not speaking into a vacuum when we pray. That power is there if we will use it. So ask yourself, am I off the merry-go-round of drinking for good? The Meditation for the Day. I must remember that in spiritual matters, I am only an instrument. It is not mine to decide how or when I am to act. God plans all spiritual matters. It is up to me to make myself fit to do God's work. All that hinders my spiritual activity must be eliminated. I can depend on God for all the strength I need to overcome those faults which are blocks. I must keep myself fit so that God can use me as a channel for His Spirit. prayer for the day. I pray that my selfishness may not hinder my progress in spiritual matters. I pray that I may be a good instrument for God to And finally today, a reading from As Bill Sees It. We're reading from page 260. Inward Reality. It is being constantly revealed, as mankind studies the material world, that its outward appearance is not inward reality at all. The prosaic steel girder is a mass of electrons whirling around each other at incredible speed, and these tiny bodies are governed by precise laws. Science tells us so. We have no reason to doubt it. When, however, the perfectly logical assumption is suggested that infinitely beyond the material world as we see it, there is an all-powerful, guiding, creative intelligence. Our perverse streaks come to the surface, and we set out to convince ourselves that this isn't so. Were our contention true, it would follow that life originated out of nothing, means nothing, and proceeds nowhere. That's from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, pages 48 to 49. And that's it for today's readings, thanks for listening. Don't forget, today's Sunday, so another episode of Came to Believe comes out today. And today we're starting on chapter 8, so I hope you'll listen. Until then, take care of yourselves and each other, and remember, just for today, don't drink, go to a meeting, and keep coming back. Have a great day, and as my friend Larry says, best day ever.