I Want What You Have

If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works . . .  John 10:37-38

When I first attempted recovery, I was told that I had a chronic problem that I’d need to work on, probably my whole life. I didn’t want to believe that but I did go to a few AA meetings. There, I met those who had years of sobriety. I wanted that. I wanted to be able to look back and say, That used to be me, but not anymore.

Well, I didn’t want it badly enough and so, I refused to accept that I must continue working on my addiction. I needed to relapse a few times, wrecking my life. As the painful consequences piled up, and as I became desperate for recovery, I finally accepted the truth. I had a life-problem that I must continue working on or I was going to continue relapsing. Because I wanted the transformation I saw in those who were successful, I eventually came to accept the truth behind their recovery.

Alcoholics Anonymous refers to this as attraction rather than promotion. AA doesn’t go out and advertise, trying to lure people into the program. Their members simply strive to live in recovery. Those who come to AA, come not necessarily because they’re looking for God, but because they want the change they’ve seen in its members. In seeking recovery, many find the God behind it.

In today’s story, Jesus contended with the Pharisees, who desired to kill him for the blasphemy of claiming to be God. Jesus said that they should not believe in him if he was doing evil. If, however, he was doing good, then they should at least believe in the good that he did. Once they made the leap to accept his good works, they may eventually see the father behind those good works.

If we call ourselves Christians, we must follow his example, living a life that points others to God. We can speak of God (and recovery) all we want, but if our lives and behavior do not point to him, then our words are meaningless. When we truly walk in faith and recovery, our lives will reflect that and those who are desperate for transformation will want what we have. In seeking it, they too, will find God.