Celebrate Recovery Weekly Encouragement 11-7-23

Today we look at Step Twelve, having a spiritual transformation as a result of working all twelve steps, using 1 Corinthians 7:7-8 (NIV) as a guide:
 "I wish you were all like me." But God has given each of you a different gift. One of you has this gift and another has that gift. "Now I tell those who are single and widowed, "It is good for them to stay single, just like I do."

Step 12 is about having a spiritual awakening because of these steps and telling other people about it. But what does this have to do with recovering from our hurts, habits and hang ups?

To live a life of recovery, the spiritual awakening can be seen as a life-changing understanding of how strong we are and how beautiful and powerful recovery and our walk with Christ is. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul says the same thing. He says that recovery is a gift and a personal calling, not something to be ashamed of or looked down upon.

This spiritual awakening isn't just something you know in your head; it's a truth you feel and that changes you from the inside out. It's about seeing recovery not as a problem but as a "gift" that can help us get closer to God.

Spreading this word doesn't mean trying to convert others or putting pressure on them to become celibate. Sharing our journey, our struggles and wins, our insights and discoveries with others who may be facing similar problems in their own lives while recovering from our own hurts, habits and hang ups, is what it really means.

Integrating this knowledge into every part of our lives is what it means to live out the steps and principals of recovery. In all of our relationships, in the way we make choices, and in how we interact with the world, it means trying to live in line with our own inner truths.

So, as we think about Step 12, let's keep in mind that our path to recovery isn't just about growing as people. Giving others our experience, strength and hope is also important. We want to inspire them to find their own way to healing.

Father, help me to share my journey, give others hope through YOUR story, and live Your truth in every part of my life. Let my way to recovery be a lighthouse of hope for other people, leading them to their own spiritual awakening. Amen.



Brian Willems CADC1
Ministry Leader
Celebrate Recovery
New Life Community Dinuba

None of the steps or principles begin with the word I. The very first word in Step 1 is we. In fact, the word we appears in the 12 Steps fourteen times. The word I never appears even once in any of the 12 Steps. The road to recovery is not meant to be traveled alone. This is not a program to be worked in isolation.  
Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’ ” (Matthew 22:37 –39).

Celebrate Recovery NLC and Broken Chains handed out 110 Narcan kits at this event!
For those of you that came out and volunteered with this a huge Thank You!