Preparing this week’s article allowed me to reflect that it’s been just over a year that I’ve had the privilege to be given space each week to write on a variety of topics. I’m grateful for those of you who have let me know how much you enjoy my writings, giving me positive encouragement, letting me acknowledge how you smile, chuckle at something I wrote about, or were encouraged in response to a topic with Christian perspective. By now, you’ve hopefully come to realize my passion for the gospel, the truth of who God is and the validity of scripture. Having said all that, “thank you” for taking time to read each week’s thoughts. Also, by now, I hope you’re fully aware of my role in Celebrate Recovery and what this faith based 12 step program can do for you as it has done for me. 

This week, I’m focusing on Step 3: “We made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God”. The verse that accompanies this step is from Romans 12:1: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship.”

Whenever there is a “therefore” in scripture, it’s prudent to look at the preceding verses to see what the writer is focused on when making the transition. In this case, Paul is writing to explain how God gave mercy through Christ, a Jew, to the Jewish people–the Israelites–and though many of them lived in disobedience to Him Paul goes on to explain that the Gentiles are now also included in this “disobedient” group, not to punish but that He (God)  may have mercy on them “all”. (Rom. 11: 32) Chapter 11 ends with these questions: “Who has known the mind of the Lord?” “Or who has been His counselor?” “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?”  For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things. (Emphasis mine) 

Our family lightheartedly adopted a small catchphrase we use when it’s clear a choice or decision has been made–”you’re in charge of your choices”. It may have been as simple as allowing our children as toddlers to choose their clothing for the day (no matter how mis-matched they were) or how we make numerous decisions every day regarding use of our time, what foods we will eat, which social invitations to accept or reject, to exercise or not. Other decisions carry more weight. Will I forgive someone who has deeply hurt me? Will I join my friend in telling a lie to cover up an indiscretion? Will I help that person whose struggles have been tugging at my purse strings for several days?

While daily decisions come and go, often made out of routine habits, Step 3 teaches us that a decision to “commit all my life and will to Christ’s care is a “conscious” one that requires thought, discovering who God is through the person of Jesus Christ, and digging into all scripture to know His character and deep love for everyone. The last part of this step is a bonus I hope you don’t miss–”Christ’s care and control”. If you were to imagine holding out your hands with palms facing up, holding “every” care and concern that is weighing you down, with  an ability empowered by “an act of your own will”,  releasing the pile in your hands to God, you’ll get a picture of allowing Him to take those and carry them for you.

Each step in the Celebrate Recovery program has an accompanying verse from the beatitudes recorded in the Book of Matthew. For Step 3 we use “Happy are the meek” (Matthew 5:5) What does it mean to be “meek”?

To be meek is to be gentle, humble, lowly. “The meek are the ‘gentle’… those who do not assert themselves over others in order to further their own agendas in their own strength, but who will nonetheless inherit the earth because they trust in God to direct the outcome of events.” ESV Study Bible notes.

John Gill’s  commentary seems to assert this – meek people don’t envy, don’t retaliate, and exercise patience in the face of adversity. 

Matthew Henry adds that the meek show joy and happiness under dire circumstances. No matter what happens in the world around them, they latch on to God’s provision and plan for their lives. 

The opposite of meekness is defined by Merriam-Webster  as egotistic, pompous, haughty, and aggressive. Through this, we see a different picture of meekness. It isn’t a doormat mentality or silence in the face of injustice. Instead, it doesn’t retaliate when wronged and doesn’t exude pride and narcissism. The type of person most people would think would rule the earth likely exhibits some of the traits listed above. At least, it fits the bill for the Roman emperors during the time of Jesus. (source: biblestudytools com) 

It’s estimated that over 5-7 million people have benefited from attending Celebrate Recovery meetings. More So than folks entering a Christ centered recovery program, Christianity is growing!  This may surprise many, but Christianity is growing around the world and is growing faster than the rate of population. From 2020 to the mid-point of 2024, the world’s population is expected to grow from more than 7.84 billion people to more than 8.11 billion, a 0.87% growth trend. The number of Christians worldwide is expected to climb from more than 2.52 billion to 2.63 billion, a 1.08% growth. The Christian population is projected to top 3 billion before 2050. (source: lifewayresearch.com)  That EXCITES me! This growth tells me a couple of things 1) the gospel is indeed being preached and spread 2) people are making decisions to come into a relationship with the living God through His Son, Jesus Christ.

The numbers above are huge. It’s hard for me to imagine a million people let alone billions, but I CAN comprehend being among those who are counted as Christ followers as well as ONE who made my own conscious decision 40+ years ago, placing my trust in Him. Yet, admitting my inability to fully comprehend how God takes on the enormous task of caring for every person who makes up His followers, I have experienced “releasing my cares to Him” and that’s a feeling that keeps me living in boundaries of faith and hope when life gets hard. My own experiences are now a prayer, too, that more of you will join us on Tuesday evenings at Celebrate Recovery. We meet at Fowlerville UB Church with a meal at 6 pm. Large group begins at 7, followed by share groups at 8. For more information please email: celebraterecovery@fowlervilleub.org