Spiritual awakening creates better communities
Step 12: Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
When it comes to Step 12, the clearest paths for conversation are: having a spiritual awakening, carrying this message to others, and practicing these principles in all of our affairs. Today we’re going to focus on the first two of those (more or less).
I’ll give you the gist of this entire blog in a sentence: a spiritual awakening pulls us towards love of others.
It shouldn’t shock you that I’m saying this, it’s a theme I return to over and over. Spiritual awakenings are not about feeling better about ourselves or feeling better about our relationship to God or feeling calmer or feeling more peaceful. Those things may happen, they may be benefits. But they are not the “end game” when it comes to spiritual awakening. The end game is becoming the kind of person who can be of service to others. Actually- I prefer slightly different language- being the kind of person who can love others. Loving others may look different depending on circumstances. In fact, Romans 12 gives us a few examples.
2 Don’t be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you can figure out what God’s will is—what is good and pleasing and mature.
3 Because of the grace that God gave me, I can say to each one of you: don’t think of yourself more highly than you ought to think. Instead, be reasonable since God has measured out a portion of faith to each one of you. 4 We have many parts in one body, but the parts don’t all have the same function. 5 In the same way, though there are many of us, we are one body in Christ, and individually we belong to each other. 6 We have different gifts that are consistent with God’s grace that has been given to us. If your gift is prophecy, you should prophesy in proportion to your faith. 7 If your gift is service, devote yourself to serving. If your gift is teaching, devote yourself to teaching.8 If your gift is encouragement, devote yourself to encouraging. The one giving should do it with no strings attached. The leader should lead with passion. The one showing mercy should be cheerful.
9 Love should be shown without pretending. Hate evil, and hold on to what is good. 10 Love each other like the members of your family. Be the best at showing honor to each other. 11 Don’t hesitate to be enthusiastic—be on fire in the Spirit as you serve the Lord! 12 Be happy in your hope, stand your ground when you’re in trouble, and devote yourselves to prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of God’s people, and welcome strangers into your home. 14 Bless people who harass you—bless and don’t curse them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and cry with those who are crying. 16 Consider everyone as equal, and don’t think that you’re better than anyone else. Instead, associate with people who have no status. Don’t think that you’re so smart. 17 Don’t pay back anyone for their evil actions with evil actions, but show respect for what everyone else believes is good.
18 If possible, to the best of your ability, live at peace with all people.
~ Romans 12:2-18, CEB
That’s really long- and I’m sorry. I’ll write a bit less to make up for it. I’ll be super concise and clear. Here goes. Buckle your seat belt. Starting now. Actually now.
Verse 2 instructs us to ground ourselves in the ways of God (think about spiritual disciplines here) so that our minds (the way we perceive the world) are transformed for the better. As a result of that transformation (spiritual awakening), we live different kinds of lives as it relates to others. Here’s what those transformed lives look like:
They are based in love. So, don’t be self-aggrandizing (easier said that done). Instead, recognize that everyone has a gift or set of gifts and no one has all the gifts and we’re all just contributing to the group and every role is important.While you’re at it, don’t stand out above the group.
This kind of love we’re called to is also genuine which in this context mean being honest about the nature of good and evil, but it also means supporting others wherever they are. If they’re happy, don’t drag them down. If they’re sad, don’t drag them up.
And while we’re at it- give up on the notion of revenge. Remember the old proverb (not from the Bible): He who seeks revenge digs two graves (aka, one for them and one for you). Revenge doesn’t solve problems, it just makes us worse versions of ourselves.
Alright. That’s our list. Those are our marching orders. You can stop reading here if you want. But if you’ve got a little attention left in your span, here’s something else for free.
One thing that is generally true in life is that the more positive our focus is, the better off we’re going to feel. I’m not saying that just being positive is going to cure all of our problems. I’m saying that living in accordance with our values, surrounding ourselves with other people who encourage us, and things like this, are going to give us the best chance at feeling like we’re thriving.
And so, I want to draw particular attention to this part about not being petty and not seeking revenge. It’s quite common to carry around a lot of resentments because of what happened before recovery (or just because life often seems like an endless supply of opportunities to hold grudges). It’s also common to develop a lot of resentments while you’re in recovery. Sharing in the rooms is very vulnerable and any time we’re vulnerable- we’re at risk of having our feelings hurt. Given that, if you’re here for recommendations, here are my recommendations.
Don’t dig two graves. Channel that energy. Harness it. Put it into something more productive. Invest in the relationships that are encouraging. Or let it focus you more intently on whatever it is you’re working on. But- the point is- try to find ways to distract yourself from your grievances.
And you can do this through living just how this passage suggests. By focusing on the good of an entire group. By celebrating and suffering with others. By playing your role. These are all things that you could start doing today, if you wanted. It might even be good for you.
So, I’ll leave this work up to you, but I do really want to know…If you were going to work on this, where would you get started?
