The Bible is pretty clear about just how powerless we all are to do right things in our own strength. If I am going to be of much use in God’s Kingdom today, I must stay connected to Him and remain open to following His plan for me.
The best way I know to do this is Honest, Open and Willing (HOW). That means being Honest with God about where I really am today; Open to what I think He is saying to me through circumstances today; and Willing to attempt to step out and do what I think He wants me to do next.
The concept comes from a quote in Chapter 4 of Narcotics Anonymous:
It should be noted that these same three spiritual principles are the basis of the first three steps of the 12 Steps. Step 1 focuses on Honesty – that is seeing myself as I really am; Step 2 focuses on Open-mindedness – that is seeing God as He really is; Step 3 focuses on Willingness – choosing to let Him do in my life what I can’t, but He can.
So, these spiritual principles are the same starting concepts (Steps 1-3) for recovery from drugs and alcohol. While I don’t have a chemical addiction background, myself, I apply them in my everyday spiritual walk. They’re Biblical – and that’s why they work so powerfully.
We all need the same basic help every day. And it’s as simple as HOW – Honest, Open and Willing.