Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.

‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭15‬

The spiritual life, the sober life, the changed life. These things must be lived out. They aren’t simply theories.

We can opine all we want here and in groups and in meetings. But when the rubber hits the road, what does our life say?

I’ll be the first to admit it can be a mixed bag.

It helps to be reminded that others are watching. Not that this should motivate my actions, but that it should encourage how I act.

Think of our own journey into this strange, sober life. We scrutinized those we saw in meetings. We looked for those we could befriend. We sought out holes in the program.

Much of this was wasted energy, but the fact remains that we are all curious by nature. And we are instrumental in the recovery of our fellows whether we intend to be or not.

It does me good to be immersed in this way of life. To become obsessed not with the rigors of the practice of sober living, but with the joy of the freedom of this way of life.

And with the ability to carry hope to the still suffering addict.

What I do today is a renewed echo of what my daily routine became many years ago. Nothing novel. Nothing unique.

But it has made all the difference.

God, thank you for progress; let me carry your message into this day.