Surrender to Win: The Obedience Strategy.

?

Obedience.

That’s my word for 2024.

And if you’re in 12 step recovery it probably should be yours too.

Step 3 of Alcoholics Anonymous: "Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him." Now, as someone who's been sponsoring a slew of fellowships, the question I'm volleyed more than any other is how to stay on the straight and narrow.

From a recovery standpoint, it's fairly straightforward—God's game plan includes meetings, having a sponsor, working your steps, dialling up fellow alcoholics, offering service, and striving not to be a total jerk. That's the basic kit. Foolproof. Yet, as a Christian, my grasp of God's will has deepened over time. The million-dollar question remains: How do I decipher God's marching orders for me?

When I get down to brass tacks with agnostics or non-believers, this dilemma often takes center stage. Yet here's a four-pronged strategy from Martyn Iles – the Christian version of Ben Shapiro - ?that hasn't steered me wrong yet. And remember, all of these should be mulled over in the context of earnest prayer:

1. Circumstances: Look, your situation will shift—sometimes out of the blue—in a way that nudges or unveils the right path. That's God working His sovereignty and providence.

2. Scripture: If you're a regular at scripture study, it'll often chime in on your current predicament, illuminating the way forward. It's God dropping a hint through His word.

3. Peace: This one might take its sweet time, but eventually, a sense of peace will settle over the right choice. It might still be tough or scary, but deep down, your conscience will give you a thumbs up. It's the Spirit doing its thing in your heart.

4. Patience: Hold your horses! The good book is brimming with "wait on the Lord" advisories. God's timing can seem painfully slow compared to our hurry-up culture. Cultivate patience, or you'll be a chronic decision-making mess. And remember, missing out because you waited usually means it wasn't in the cards to begin with.

Sure, you might flub one of the above—misinterpret a sign, bungle a scripture. But messing up all four simultaneously? Rare, especially if you're patient and prayerful. When the stars align across these four principles, that's my cue to leap. But if they don't, I sit tight, which is a Herculean feat in itself.

For weighty decisions, even when all signs point to yes, I might still balk. That's when you pull a Gideon and ask for an extra nudge or clear sign from the big guy upstairs. Thankfully, God's usually game to provide that clarity.

The flip side? You could go rogue, chart your own course, and hope God's playing catch-up. But that's not a faith-driven life; that's spiritual freelancing. And let's be honest, none of us are that good at improvising our way through life's big questions. So, whether you're wrestling with addiction, a career pivot, or any of life's curveballs, remember: Circumstances, Scripture, Peace, Patience.

Rinse and repeat.

It's not just a recovery recipe; it's a successful life strategy.