Step Seven

 

More review, but just of the action steps:

In Step 4 we begin doing the work that is necessary in order to apply the solution to the problem. This was a thorough self-examination of our assets and liabilities. Our liabilities we referred to as defects of character or wrongs and were those things which had been blocking us from a relationship with God, with ourselves, and with the people around us.

In Step 5 we admitted our wrongs to God, to ourselves, and to at least one other human being.

In Step 6 we became ready to have these defects of character removed from us. At my home group, during our discussions on the Sixth Step, I would sometimes pose this question, "What's the difference between being willing and being ready." There is a popular quote from the book Alcoholics Anonymous that gives the answer to that question. It says, "If you have decided you want what we have and are willing to go to any length to get it, then you are ready to take these steps." So if a person is willing, then that person is ready.

In the 2nd and 3rd steps, that's where we commence to form a relationship with God and we don't have to have an overpowering sense of god-consciousness. A willingness to believe is all that is required to make a beginning in step 2 and it is often said that willingness is the key to taking step 3. So, if I am willing to do steps 2 and 3, then I am ready to take the action steps 4 - 9. And thus, in Step 6 we see that we are ready now to have the things that have blocking us removed from us.

And that's what step 7 is for. The wording of the step is that we "Humbly asked God to remove our shortcomings." Originally, the step included the phrase "on our knees". The early members of AA were part of a religious movement known as the Oxford Group. They were a predominantly Christian movement from which many of the principles embodied in the 12 steps were derived. They believed in a lot of things that we still believe today. Self-examination, prayer, confession of defects, making amends, dependence upon a higher power, and carrying the message. But they also had beliefs that were based on specific religious dogma whereas in modern-day 12 step programs we view God as our concept of God. And not all persons from all beliefs find it necessary to get on their knees to pray, so that phrase was removed.

It is still necessary for us to be humble but the expression of humility is not as intimidating as it looks. In my opinion, being humble is knowing that although I may be good at many things, that doesn't make me better than anyone else. And in the case of prayer to a higher power, it reminds me that any success I am having today is not entirely my doing. It is a result of the concerted efforts of myself and god as I understand God.

I should also mention that just because I ask God to remove my shortcomings does not mean they are going to instantly be removed. I did think that was going to happen, but that was back in my early days before the guidance of a sponsor, back when I used to sit in meetings and do the steps as a mental exercise. I would look at them and think oh yeah by the time I get to step seven, I'll be okay. All my character defects will evaporate and I'll be as pure as driven snow. I'll go on the speaker circuit, start writing for the grapevine, and every newcomer that crawls through the doors of AA will immediately sense that I am a spiritual giant, they'll ask me to sponsor them, we'll go to conferences together and they'll brag about how sober I'm getting them.

That's not exactly what happened. My character defects did not evaporate. I still have them, but on a daily basis God removes from me those shortcomings which stand in the way of my usefulness to Him and to others. And each day I move closer to my chosen ideal of how I should be living my life. Remember we discovered what that chosen ideal was when we did columns 4 and 5 of our personal inventory.

And for the record, I do have a speaker circuit but its only about 60 miles in diameter, I did write a few items for the grapevine. You know if you send an editor enough material eventually he will print something just to get you to stop. And a few newcomers have agreed to let me sponsor them, and we do go to meetings and conferences together, but when they talk about me I doubt very much they are singing my praises. It's probably more along the lines of criticism. Oh well. they don't have to like it; they just have to do it.

By the way, the introduction to step 7 reads like this: "When we are ready, we say something like this My Creator I am now willing....." So if you're ready, then you're willing. :)