It has been a very meaningful thing for me to understand that the 12 Steps do not focus on chemicals, addictions or compulsive behaviors. In fact, in the original 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, only Steps 1 and 12 refer to alcohol. Instead, the Steps focus on character. Each Step is designed to take us deeper into practicing character qualities that can empower us over whatever our situation or problem is.
Here at Helping Up Mission, every week we focus on a different character quality that we should learn to practice in our lives. This week’s quality is Security – structuring my life around what is eternal and cannot be taken away or destroyed. People, places and things will let us down and if we are focused on them, we will be disappointed; but things eternal in nature will never change or go away.
Today is a historic day in American history. But when it is all over, whether our candidates win or lose, down the road we will all eventually be disappointed that what we hoped would happen will not. So it is really important that we develop a spiritual focus on eternal things which, regardless of people, places and things, can never be destroyed or taken away from us.
Sincerely,
Pastor Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director