One Ultimate Authority

For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority — a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience.12x12, p. 132

When I am chosen to carry some small responsibility for my fellows, I ask that God grant me the patience, open-mindedness, and willingness to listen to those I would lead. I must remind myself that I am the trusted servant of others, not their "governor," "teacher," or "instructor." God guides my words and my actions, and my responsibility is to heed His suggestions. Trust is my watchword, I trust others who lead. In the Fellowship of A.A., I entrust God with the ultimate authority of "running the show."
Daily Reflections for October 26th.

AA’s second tradition of but one ultimate authority works really well for me.  Some members are elder statesmen, some are bleeding deacons and most of us are in various stages of working on being a member among members.  Few alcoholics have good long term responses to authority figures—especially in a matter so personal as our own recovery.  Members share experience, strength and hope—not directions, orders and control.

I am grateful for the simplicity of having but one ultimate authority.  I am free to do whatever I want with the understanding that I am also liable for the consequences of my behaviors.




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