Sunday, February 20, 2011

Who's In Charge???

Tradition 2:

"For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority-a loving God as he may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants, they do not govern."



It has been said that they highest rank to be achieved in AA/NA is humble servant. It is surely God given to have such a powerful movement, like AA/NA, and not have a governing body. Of course we need people in our groups to make coffee, set up rooms, chair meetings, and handle funds, but they are by no means "in charge".

When AA was around for a while, co-founder Bill Wilson, was approached with the opportunity to make a little money from all the good he was doing. Bill writes in the book, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, that after he was asked if he wanted to be payed for his service at the detox, he thought it was a great idea. When he went home, where they held their meetings, every other member of the group thought it was a bad idea. Bill speaks of how he thought that being payed was in Gods plan. Quickly after speaking to his group he figured out that it was indeed only "Bill's idea". The group conscience had spoken and the decision was made.

The bottom line to tradition two is that no human person is in charge of AA/NA. God is in charge. He has been and always will be. As individuals this tradition takes on the humility of getting help from a source other than ourselves. From a group perspective, this tradition keeps every one the same. We are all alcoholics, suffering from the same disease, just looking for some help

Daily Gratitude:

I am grateful for new self honesty. Today I will spend time in self examination. I pray for the courage to share with others who I am.

No comments: