NACR Daily Meditation for Tuesday, May 20, 2003

20 May 2003 07:00:01 -0000

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NACR Daily Meditation for Tuesday, May 20, 2003

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I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths
I will guide them, I will turn the darkness into light before them and make
the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake
them.

Isaiah 42:16

God leads blind people along unfamiliar paths. God promises to make rough
places smooth for sightless and disoriented people. God will not forsake
them.

During recovery we often feel sightless and disoriented. Our abilities to
see clearly are often very limited - we don't have enough distance on things
to give proper perspective. Denial leaves us blind. Rejected emotions and
ignored human needs can also contribute to spiritual and psychological blindness.

So many things in recovery are unfamiliar to us. We are not accustomed to
feeling what we feel, to talking about our experiences, or to trusting other
people. Honesty is new territory for us. All of this is not only unfamiliar
territory, it is scary territory as well.

But it is exactly to people like us that God makes promises. God makes promises
to sightless and disoriented people. God will guide. God will give light.
God will smooth the rough places. God will not abandon.

I can't see very well, Lord.
I certainly am not familiar with this path, Lord.
Are you sure you know where this leads?
This feels like a pretty rough trail to me, Lord.
Are you sure we can make it?

Be my guide, Lord, I am afraid. 
I would be lost without you.
I cannot find my way alone.
Guide me, Lord.
Turn darkness into light.
Make the rough places smooth.
Do not forsake me.
Amen.

Copyright 1991 Dale and Juanita Ryan 

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ROOTED IN GOD'S LOVE (the book from which these meditations are taken, is back in print! To order call our office at 714-529-6227 ext 111 or order online at

http://www.nacronline.com/dox/store/dox/nacrbooks.htm

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Meditations from previous days can be viewed at:  

http://two.pairlist.net/pipermail/nacrmed/

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Plan now to join us at STEPS 2003, a national conference for Christians in recovery jointly sponsored by the NACR and Overcomers Outreach. It will be held June 26-28, 2003 in Southern California. Plenary speakers are Steve Arterburn, David Stoop, Rich Buhler, Sandra Wilson, Mark Laaser and Ann Kiemel Anderson. Over 45 workshops. Support groups. Specialized gatherings. And lots of fellowship and support for your recovery. Details as they become available and online registration will be at:

 http://www.nacronline.com/dox/steps2003.htm

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