January 20: Day 20

STEP THREE CONTINUED
 
Recognize that we are spiritual beings and decide to turn our lives over to “that which is greater than self” referred to in these steps as “The Divine.”
                                                                                                         
Instruction: Recognize spirituality happens now.

Part of what religious individuals do to experience religion is go to a building designated as a church, synagogue, or other place of worship. When the experience is over and they leave, the experience often ends there and no effect carries over into their daily lives. That is unfortunate, because we can be religious, and perhaps should be religious, all through the day.

On the other hand, spirituality is not just something we do. It is something we are, and it happens now, this moment, and in every moment of our lives. We are not becoming spiritual beings, because we already are spiritual beings. Imagine an immigrant who wants to be an American as opposed to someone who was born in America. One is trying to be what the other is by birth. We weren’t born as religious individuals, but we were born as spiritual individuals, because our very existence requires more than the coming together of flesh and bone. It requires a miracle, a mystery, and an imparting of something that we cannot create or reproduce — a spirit.

When we say we are turning our lives over to that which is greater than ourselves, we are recognizing that we are merely giving back to Divine Spirit what was given to us. We are recognizing that by working together, we function fully and live happier, healthier, and more satisfying lives.

Today’s Assignment is to consider the difference between being born a spiritual person versus being born into a religious environment. At birth, many people were assigned a religion. They had no choice. Ask yourself this question: “If I had not been assigned a religion at birth and my guardians had presented different religions without prejudice, what religion would I have chosen?”