The Fog of Grace

TRUTH

For God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.

Ephesians 2:4-5

REFLECTION

What grace!

It’s a mystery: why some remain lost while others stumble into the light just enough to find the way.

An onlooker might divvy it up to blind luck, but grace is the touchstone of progress. Are we equipped to see enough of our own future to accurately reflect upon the path that brought us here?

I don’t think so.

The addict is so intent on living in the moment that nothing else matters. There is no leaning forward, there is no falling backward. There is only this present, self-centered pleasure.

In this, we were carrying out the tenants of one day at a time, perhaps better than those in sobriety. Once the initial fog clears out and we begin to think with a sober mind, we are actually more muddled than before.

The many worries of the world, the grasping for the ability to repair damage done, and the deep-threaded regret of the burdens we’ve been to those whom we love coat us thickly.

But grace.

By grace, we have been saved indeed. And the lingering thread of emotion that we have become as we sober up is frayed and sensitive and tenuous, and it is in this state that we are most usable by him who has all power.

It truly is a long period of reconstruction ahead of us. We don't fool ourselves into thinking that sobriety is an overnight matter. The choice may come quickly and indeed the first day of sobriety is just a day.

It'd be nice to be whole again, but God only uses broken things.

God, use me however you need me.

SPONSOR

Reflection and gratitude are invaluable in recovery. Gratitude Plus is a social gratitude journal with an anonymous global feed. Try Gratitude Plus now.

NEXT

When you’re ready, here are some tools for you:

1. Book List (amazon link)
   Some of my favorite reads related to recovery and/or wrestling with faith.

2. 4th Step Guide (free download)
   A PDF with instructions and worksheets for a thorough 4th step. Straight from the Big Book. Fearlessness not included.

3. 12-Step Christianity (YouTube)
   My thoughts on the parallels between discipleship and sponsorship.

KEEP LEANING FORWARD

Cheers, Eamonn
Contact on LinkedIn, YouTube & Twitter.