A number of circumstances in my life lately make me think that the Lord is leading me back to more proactively work the 12 steps.  I spent about a half hour Saturday afternoon with my dear friend, Bill Nash, who is back in the hospital.  He’s been in recovery from alcohol for about 38 years.  I loved his prayer before we parted, as he paraphrased Psalm 23:  “Thank You, Lord, for leading me away from the “distilled waters” and bringing me back to You.”

Last week I had lunch with James, who was my sponsor when I worked the 12 steps several years ago in a Christians in Recovery group.  He and his wife are now retired and continually have folks in their home who are trying to rid themselves of addictions.  For a Commenting on the third step, James said to me, “Jim, in surrender, you give up all rights to yourself.  You give up your agenda and let God take over.  I preached for years but it was for the wrong reasons.  I did it more for me than for God.  But when I gave up control of my life to the Lord, He not only stopped my desire to drink, He gave me a whole new ministry to people wanting recovery.”

The other God-moment that came my way lately was attending last night’s Celebrate Recovery group, which started two weeks ago at Highland.  This Christ-centered program, which was launched by Rick Warren and John Baker out of California’s huge Saddleback Church, is growing tremendously.  I’m so glad that some folks are starting these groups here in Abilene.

One comment in our group that jumped out at me was a story a man told of Corrie Ten Boom.  When she was a young girl in Holland, her father took her on a trip.  As they got off the train, Corrie’s father asked her to pick up the luggage.  This tiny girl attempted to lift the heavy bags, but finally said, “Papa, they’re too heavy.”  Her wise and compassionate father told her, “Of course, they’re too much for you to carry, Corrie.  That’s why you need to let your father carry them.”

What a great story for us adults who too often think we can handle our own problems.  And all the while our Father is standing by, waiting for us to carry our burdens.

God is teaching me once more that when I let Jesus “carry my bags” – my negative emotions, weaknesses, and the pull of the flesh – that’s when I truly feel at peace.  And He repeatedly gives me a testimony of His work in my life.  And once more He is reminding me that working the 12 steps, in the context of a small group of fellow Christ-followers, is one of the best ways to let go of the baggage and allow Abba Father to carry these burdens for me.

On the road to recovery, until He takes me home,

Jim