Tuesday, November 20, 2012 -- Gracious Living (1)

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26 NIV)

What has gracious living got to do with recovery? For years we lived in a dysfunctional lifestyle, which eventually became our normal way of life. Now we are learning to live in a way that is rewarding for us and in a way which creates a healthy environment for those around us.

Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.  Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. (Ephesians 4:21-24 NLT)

Prior to coming into recovery we seldom thought of God let alone desired to love Him.  We were primarily concerned with ourselves and how we might use whoever, or have whatever, would fulfill our need in a given moment.  We gave little or no thought to the consequences of our actions upon ourselves or the impact they might have on another person.

When “our” way of life did not work we came to realize that we were powerless over our addictions and dependencies and sought to find a way that would help us live in harmony with God, ourselves, and others.  In the recovery process we learned about the grace of God poured out on this world and how He, through His son Jesus, paid the price for our sins, freeing us, and establishing us blameless in His sight.  Daily He is working to change us into the likeness of His Son.

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:6-9 NIV)

Thank you God that I can recover the life you created me to live. Thank you for the gift of my life, the gift of your grace, and the opportunities which lie ahead of me.  Help me to walk closely with you and listen with attentive ears to what you are saying to me through your word.  Thank you also for the urgings you give me through my spirit and for the truth and guidance of your Holy Spirit. Amen