Faith frees us from our shortcomings (even if they're still there)

Yesterday we started a conversation about Step Six; you might want to review that post before continuing…

Step Six sounds deceptively clear.  We are entirely ready to have our shortcomings removed by God.  Period.  Of course, we are not naive, we know another step is going to clarify and expand the work once we take this sixth step.  But I think there is more to this step than it shows us on face value.  I do not believe the 12-step authors got tired and added an easy step in the middle so they could take the day off and go to the beach.

Readiness for God to remove our defects of character involves not just talking, reading, considering or expressing our spirituality in the ways that others (and ourselves) recognize. Clearly the clerk at Home Goods has a picture of what church should be and by golly - it should not be soft, inviting or cozy.  Church, from her framework, is serious business.  And it is BUT….

It is also more. It is about experiencing life in a new way.   Spirituality makes us capable of specific kinds of experiences, ones that self-will cannot produce.  If we are available, we can see and understand God, ourselves and others differently.  This new way of being frees us from the grip of our shortcomings in ways that are mysterious and attributable only to God!  This new way of seeing and being goes great with big chunky afghans and cozy seating arrangements!