Not As I Would Have It

The full version of the Serenity Prayer said at most recovery gatherings contains the words, “Taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it”.  Jesus left heaven, where He was known and praised, and came to earth in human flesh to save the world from the power of sin.  His environment here was certainly not as He would have had  it.  Jesus was despised and rejected by those who ought to have known who He was.  To protect their status and way of living, these people bore false witness against Jesus and handed Him over to be mocked, tortured, and killed by oppressive rulers.

People looked down on him.  They didn’t accept him.  He knew all about pain and suffering.  He was like someone people turn their faces away from.  We looked down on him.  We didn’t have any respect for him.  (Isaiah 53:3 NIRV)

Even though Jesus suffered many things, He chose not to judge the people who treated Him harshly.  He knew every person – not just those suffering from addiction – and He knew they were in bondage to sin, and that He had come to set them free.  How do we respond to those who are rude to us and do not treat us kindly?  Do we see them, as Jesus does, as people God loves who have not yet been set free?  This world may not be as we would like it, but because of what Jesus has done for us, we can carry this message to others – “normies” as well as fellow addicts – and tell them of Jesus’ love for them, and His power and willingness to set them free and give them new life. 

I’m sending you off to open the eyes of the outsiders so they can see the difference between dark and light, and choose light, see the difference between Satan and God, and choose God.  I’m sending you off to present my offer of sins forgiven, and a place in the family, inviting them into the company of those who begin real living by believing in me.  (Acts 26:17-18 MSG)

Next time we pray the Serenity Prayer, let’s truly desire to be more like Jesus in the way we respond to others.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I want to be like You and take this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it.  Help me to accept the things I cannot change and give me the courage to change the things I can.  Amen

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