Page 84 - The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous

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HOW IT WORKS 63
When we sincerely took such a position, all sorts of
remarkable things followed. We had a new Employer.
Being all powerful, He provided what we needed, if
we kept close to Him and performed His work well.
Established on such a footing we became less and less
interested in ourselves, our little plans and designs.
More and more we became interested in seeing what
we could contribute to life. As we felt new power
flow in, as we enjoyed peace of mind, as we discovered
we could face life successfully, as we became con­
scious of His presence, we began to lose our fear of
today, tomorrow or the hereafter. We were reborn.
We were now at Step Three. Many of us said to our
Maker, as we understood Him: “God, I offer myself to
Thee—to build with me and to do with me as Thou
wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may
better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that
victory over them may bear witness to those I would
help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of life.
May I do Thy will always!’’ We thought well before
taking this step making sure we were ready; that we
could at last abandon ourselves utterly to Him.
We found it very desirable to take this spiritual step
with an understanding person, such as our wife, best
friend, or spiritual adviser. But it is better to meet God
alone than with one who might misunderstand. The
wording was, of course, quite optional so long as we
expressed the idea, voicing it without reservation.
This was only a beginning, though if honestly and
humbly made, an effect, sometimes a very great one,
was felt at once.
Next we launched out on a course of vigorous action,
the first step of which is a personal housecleaning,