In the BB the Chapter Into Action ends on the note that there is more action to take. It then introduces Working with Others; the Twelfth Step.
I was thinking that no where does it say, we’re finished with action. In fact, in that same chapter it tells us that, if we rest on our laurels in this spiritual program of action, we’re headed for trouble. And the trouble Bill is talking about is a drink. After all, he reminds us, alcohol is a subtle foe.
Someone recently told how they nearly took a drink. They had stopped going to meetings and working this program. But, just before they were going to go back out, they ran into someone and were given the opportunity of working with another alcoholic. They had taken action and it saved them from a drink.
This, to me, is a spiritual story. It’s the story of “faith without works is dead”. Alone, away from help, nearing a drink, this person was able to put the program into action. They were literally in contact with a higher power. The only one who could have saved them at that moment from a drink.
I don’t know if they knew this or thought this, but sitting there listening to them this thought came to me. What else could it be? They said they were only thinking of themselves up to then and along comes this person in need of help and they became willing to put those thoughts aside for the sake of someone else.
I had to think of the times I was so stuck on myself that I was unwilling to help someone else. Fortunately there were those, who wouldn’t listen to me and literally made me go with them. When I got there, my whole attitude was changed. I became willing to help someone else. Moments before I wasn’t. Without knowing it I was spiritually restored in spite of myself. I was literally spiritually asleep and was restored to faith by the action I took with the help of others.
How many times, since I have come into this program, I have been saved by the action of others, who stirred me on. These friends took the words, faith without works is dead, and by their words and actions kept me on the path to sobriety. I have so many to whom I owe much gratitude.
I was thinking about this today.