December 1992.

“We admitted we were powerless over alcohol, that our loves had become unmanageable.”

Thousands of business men and women make this statement everyday in our city.  It is the first step of 12 suggested as a program of recovery by A.A. (Alcoholics Anonymous)

If you want to substitute another word for alcohol such as lust, greed, envy, pride, gluttony, sloth or anger, then the introductory sentence might well apply to most of us.

It is in our weakness that we realize that all of us are addicts, addicted to someone or something that renders us powerless in its presence, regardless of our seeming peace, success or discipline in other areas.

It is then that step two of A.A. becomes a necessary and welcome guide.  “We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”  That power is the intoxicating personal presence of God.  There is no other.

If step one is humbling, then step two is good news.  The Christmas Carol, “ O Little Town of Bethlehem”  reveals a bit more about this God.

                                    How silently, how silently,

                                    The wondrous gift is giv’n!

                                    So God imparts to human hearts

                                    The blessings of His heaven.

                                    No ear may hear His coming,

                                    But in this world of sin,

                                    Where meek souls will receive Him still,

                                    The dear Christ enters in.

Maybe what A.A. People have realised is that the admission of powerlessness is the first step to becoming truly Empowered.

How about us?  When we confront the “unmanageable” part of our lives, do we despair or hope?  Hope is only possible when we find Someone, “greater than ourselves.”

That someone was born is Bethlehem 2000 years ago.  As Christ said, “My Grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  2Corinthians 12:9

Blessings.........