Someone wanted to talk about the Third Step today at the meeting. An interesting meeting. A variety of concepts about the higher power and the God of our understanding.
It reminded me of a woman, who in writing about her spiritual awakening in this program talked about the struggles the original members of this program had at the beginning. She talked about the Second Step and the arguments and heated discussions among those relatively newly sober men, when composing the Steps. Particularly the word “God” in that original writing of the Second Step. Many wanted God in that Step. But there were agnostics and even atheists there already and they felt that something else was needed to describe and allow alcoholics, who might struggle and and never get sober, because they wouldn’t be able to find a common ground.
That’s when the words “higher power” came into being. A friend of mine called it the two words which saved AA. It allowed anyone, no matter what they thought or felt, whatever they believed or didn’t believe, to enter the program and get sober. Bill W. himself wrote about all of this later. What was important that alcoholics seeking sobriety were all welcome.
Some of this was apparent today, as the discussion went around the room and people shared their thoughts on the Third Step. I listened intently to each one of them. It gave me a feeling of the freedom to follow ones own spiritual path. Particularly when people discussed turning their will and lives over to the God of their understanding. That is to the “care” of this higher power and how each individual was able to deal with the concept.
All the while I was almost in a form of meditation and thought while this was going on. I found it heartening from the wide variety of those who spoke. I really felt part of this program, as the men and women openly shared their experiences with this Step.
It’s really what I had learned over time, as I struggled myself to achieve some level of hope and faith. Watching those old timers words and examples, which demonstrated the openness of this program. Of course back then they didn’t discuss much of their opinions. They, I think, didn’t want to influence the thoughts and beliefs, especially of newcomers. As the BB tells us, it’s up to the individual to come to believe in whatever higher power makes sense to them. That’s a thought I truly believe we all should adhere to with no reservations.
Whenever the Third Step is the subject of discussion I always find my mind going back to the First and Second Step. What got me here and what opened the door for me so I could enter into that Third Step. It’s usually the way my day starts.
Anyway, I was thinking about this and how valuable meetings like this are to my sobriety. It’s how and why I’m here.