I recently ran across this letter written in 1950 by Bill, the co-founder of AA. I think it has excellent and timeless advice about seeking spiritual guidance in life and I decided to post it. Without ever having known that anyone had written this succinctly about the subject of knowing God’s will for our lives, I have always practiced this decision-making strategy and it has never failed me. Try it and pass it on.
“Man is supposed to think, and act. He wasn’t made in God’s image to be an automaton.
My own formula along this line runs as follows: First, think through every situation pro and con, praying meanwhile that I be not influenced by ego considerations. Affirm that I would like to do God’s will.
Then having turned the problem over in this fashion and getting no conclusive or compelling answer, I wait for further guidance, which may come into the mind directly or through other people or through circumstances.
If I feel I can’t wait, and still get no definite indication, I repeat the first measure several times, try to pick out the best course, and then proceed to act. I know if I am wrong, the heavens won’t fall. A lesson will be learned, in any case.”
The spiritual guidance comes through our intuition and conscience. It comes through the people placed in our lives at just the right time and place, and it comes through “open windows of opportunity” that present themselves to us. We just need to be open and aware. Peace, Joy and Love, Nancy