Sober since April 6, 2006

That's
days

Monday, November 20, 2006

maximum service

"At the moment we are trying to put our lives in order. But this is not an end in itself. Our real purpose is to fit ourselves to be of maximum service to God and the people about us" (Big Book, p. 77).

This has always been my favorite quote from the Big Book. But I was thinking about it on the way home from work today: "What have I done to fit myself to be of maximum service?"

I feel like I should be DOING something. If you want to be a body builder, you lift weights. If you want to be a marathon runner, you run. If you want to be of maximum service to God and other people, you ... do ... what ... exactly?

Obviously working the 12 Steps with a sponsor plays a huge role. Calling other alcoholics and providing encouragement is a big part too. Doing service work is another. Staying sober makes it all possible.

But I still feel like I'm missing something. I'm just feeling a bit uneasy or "off" somehow.

What do you do to fit yourself to be of maximum service to God and the people around you?

9 comments:

Mary Christine said...

Just be willing and God will put the opportunities in front of you... as long as you are out and about at meetings, making phone calls, etc.

Deb said...

I haven't figured this out yet. I still feel like I'm missing something.

Right now I'm trying to find a way to earn a living by helping Earth and the environment. I'm working towards being an artist using recycled materials. However, I have absolutely no idea how I'm going to pay the bills with this plan. I just keep putting one foot in front of the other (plus lots of meetings).

I quit my job with the employers using large quantities of pesticides. I just know in my heart of hearts we all have to make sacrifices for our own health and survival.

Anonymous said...

To answer your question:

1. Love God with all you know how (mind, body, spirit)
2. Love people (ask God to help you)
3. Romans 12, 1 Cor 13 - describe love. Love as God defines it and how the world says it is differs greatly! Please read those verses to gain a foundation to work from
4. learn to be available to God
5. Trust God that despite how things look, he's working to build you into his woman for his service (Romans 8:28-29) please read those verses.

To help others, you have to see them from God's perspective, this starts with spending time with Him in prayer, in reading the Bible systematically, and being part of a church in which you are behaving as part of the body of Christ. The Christ came for sick people, his church is full of people in recovery so please extend grace & truth to them. In other words when you find them weird or annoying remember they're "recovering" from their issues just as you are. We all need Christ.

Praying & walking right beside you my sister in Christ.

Anonymous said...

One more thing...being a Christian is a LIFE LONG learning process full of ups and downs..but witha steady progession toward Christ. Either at a snails pace or rabbits pace.....some days you'll take 3 steps foward and some will take 2 steps back. However the key is learning progressively to trust God. You've been doing this, and God has been using you for GOOD whether you see it or not.

Praying for you..

- Friend of God -

Anonymous said...

A old guy once said that Gods grace was defined as undeserved kindness.I try to practice being kind to those about me.It can be really hard for this resentfull alkie.Love and tolerance of others is our code.See Ya.

JJ said...

Wish I had some magical answer for you but your working the steps and keeping God in your life and that is all I do.
JJ

dAAve said...

It seems that you're doing all you should be doing, especially with 229 days of sobriety.
The evolution of sobriety will present more opportunities, most of which have no place in your current field of vision.

An Irish Friend of Bill said...

i keep meaning to do a post on this but i havent got round to it. its quite a lot to explain. briefly, as far as career choice goes, based on advice given to newly ordained tibetan monastics (as they remain in employment) and other monastics who choose to work. (some zen). (plus aa examples of course!) cross referenced with directives from the big book. then for what i call 'mundane' use. ie day to day interpretation of that instruction. also use of the instruction when applied to choices generally. the 'instruction/directive' is 'maximum helpfulness'. see i told you it was quite involved! i see it as very simple though. its just i like to see ways of applying it 'in all my affairs', so thats why i consider it in terms of very small day to day affairs and more significant 'affairs' such as choosing a career. i will try to sort this post out soon if i can find the time..
but dont worry for now as 'no big decisions till after step 9' is a good general rule.

Anonymous said...

And step 3 is not a big decision? :-P