What is a Higher Power? (step 2 of the 12 steps)
Posted: Tuesday, April 14, 2009
by Dave Dozier
The second of the 12 Steps is, like the first, more of an act of the heart than an act of the intellect. The step reads:
We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Most people in recovery made many attempts at breaking free before they succeeded. This is what we in the industry call "priming", like priming a pump. Actions like checking into a rehab facility, or taking classes after A DUI (driving under the influence), or throwing out the booze or pills, or short periods of sobriety, can be priming of the pump. But before long the individual returns to his addiction. Hopefully, this is not the end of the story, and these episodes are the priming before the waters of recovery finally flow. The priming can go on for a very long time. Eventually, for some, the individual runs out of options. Having burned his bridges with his health insurance, employer, family, friends, and creditors, the person accepts the fact that he cannot quit on his own. He has no more "tricks up his sleeve". His addiction is, indeed, stronger than he is. That is step one: "We admitted that we were powerless" Once that admission of helplessness is made, the next step comes naturally: faith in Someone who can control the addiction.
Notice that the language of the second step is passive. It does not say "We decided to believe", or "after examining all of the facts we concluded"
No, the language of step two is that of a person who is no longer in control. It is the language of a person who is being drawn down a path of discovery. What is the discovery? That I cannot control my life very well, but there is One who will graciously take control and is willing to do so.
Many Christians look at the 12 steps with contempt because of the reference a "Higher Power", rather than Jesus. We need to remember that the steps were not written for people of any particular faith. They were written for people who were in the throws of addiction. Most people in the throws of addiction are not comfortable in religious settings. The writers of the steps knew this, and wanted to make the 12 steps as user-friendly as possible for addicts. When addicts are finally ready to ask for help, wouldn't it be prudent to skip the religious jargon that might scare him off? These addicts may be atheists, agnostics, or members of a faith other than Christianity. Should they be made to feel that they have to "buy into" Christianity before they get help?
I know of "born again" Christians who came to sobriety through AA long after they accepted the message of the Gospel. Conversely, I have a good friend whose journey took him from being a practicing alcoholic and atheist to being sober agnostic through AA and finally to accepting Jesus Christ. He is now a pastor. Sobriety is a gift from God, and He hands it out in different ways to different people.
Back to step two. This Higher Power can "restore us to sanity". This implies that I have come to believe that my life is characterized by insanity. The definition of insanity is continuing to do the same thing that you have always done and expect different results. Once again the language of the 12 steps is the language of surrender.
If you or someone you know is ready to be changed, hook up with a 12 step group near you. We can't do this alone.
Next week we will look at step 3.
That is a great article and I will be looking for # 3Thanks for the encouraging words, Mr. Rick.
Keep up the good word, I mean work, or do I? Brian.