For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit.

Luke‬ ‭6‬:‭43

Recovery circles tend toward an overemphasis on works through a proper emphasis on action.

Religious circles tend toward an overemphasis on faith through a proper emphasis on salvation.

A healthy blend balances out both sides which are equally important.

Recovery and religion both preach the truth of combining faith with works. But because it’s easy to lean too heavily on one aspect of our beliefs, it becomes very easy to inadvertently ignore other important ingredients.

Both and, not either or.

That phrase popped up a few years back for me.

It was in a talk discussing the large phases of our lives as we mature into adulthood and into our faith.

There isn’t one thing that we do. There isn’t one special sauce that makes us saved or recovered or whatever.

There is a way of life that we begin to follow. There is a faith that we begin to grab hold of. There is a daily march that we pursue.

If all we have are the religious beliefs and texts and ideas and theories, do we really think we can get by without the gritty stuff of the real world?

If all we have are the recovery-mandated steps and amends and confessions and meetings, are we not simply trying to earn our own way to God and salvation?

I fall far from my own ideal much of the time. I find myself flitting back and forth in different seasons.

Inaction is brought on by a dull selfish desire to rest.

But in my best moments, I can set aside the performance-based beliefs that more is always better and rest in my growing faith.

God, build in me a restlessness for your good work.