April 30: Hurrying to Turn Back
You’ve thought hard about your ways. Now comes the question of what to do with what you’ve found.
“I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.”
The psalmist says: I thought about my ways, and turned my steps to Your testimonies. Then: I will hurry, and not delay, to obey Your commandments.
That second line is worth noticing. Once he saw the truth about his ways, he didn’t sit on it. He didn’t wait for a better time. He hurried.
A finished inventory is a powerful thing. But an inventory that sits in a drawer doesn’t do much. Many people in recovery have found that the danger zone is the gap between Step Four and Step Five. The notebook is done, the hard feelings are stirred up, and then nothing happens. Weeks go by. The old thinking creeps back in.
Step Five is where you share the inventory with God, with yourself, and with another human being. That last part matters. It has to be a person. A sponsor, a pastor, a priest, or a trusted person in recovery who can keep a confidence.
So today, take two practical steps. Choose the person. And set a date. Not someday. A real date, ideally within the next two weeks.
Choosing the person can feel scary. Pick someone who will listen without being shocked, keep it private, and who isn’t someone who would be hurt by what’s in it. If you have a sponsor, that’s usually the natural choice. If you don’t, a pastor or priest is a good option.
You’ve just spent a month looking honestly at your life. That took real courage. Tomorrow begins a new month, and a new step. Integrity is next.
One thing today
Decide who will hear your Step Five. Call or text them today and ask for a time to meet in the next two weeks. Write the date on your calendar.
A prayer
Lord, I’ve looked at my ways. I don’t want to delay. Help me pick the right person to share this with, and give me the courage to ask. Thank You for walking me through this month. Amen.
What comes next: Step Five. Look back at Step Four.
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