There are several ways of avoiding doing the
programme whilst doing the programme. ‘Doing the programme’ essentially means
staying close to God and performing His work well, in line with page 63 of the
Big Book.
Here are three ways of avoiding this under cover of
doing this. I have been guilty of all three.
Firstly, one can be a Pharisee. A Pharisee is
concerned with the letter of the law but not with the spiritual essence or the
relationship with God, to whom he is subservient and whose will he must seek in
all matters. AA Pharisees are keen to point out to everyone what they are doing
wrong but don’t go to God directly asking for strength and inspiration. They
parrot the words but miss the message. Loveless and dry, little good comes of
this approach.
Secondly, one can be a busybody. A busybody is full
of action, sometimes right action, but the actions are frantic, not targeted,
and not necessarily well thought through. There is interference, bad temper,
and controlling behaviour. The job may get done, but maybe at the expense of
better work and certainly at the cost of a huge expenditure of personal
resources. Here, again, the problem is relying on self not God for strength and
direction. Usually the heart is in the right place, but plugged into the correct
source, namely God, the results would be perfect harmony and impressive
progress rather than confusion and bluster.
Thirdly, one can be a hermit. Hermits are keep on
staying close to God but not so keen on performing God’s work well. Step Eleven
is great, but the purpose is not to achieve oneness just so one can get high
off the feeling or run away from the world and its responsibilities.
The solution is to combine the good elements of all
three and then to ensure that God is the source of direction and strength in
all cases. This is simply achieved: we do need to know the letter of the law,
we do need to be active, and we do need on occasion to be quiet and to retreat
into the presence of God. Real wisdom derives, however, from combining all
three of these judiciously and dynamically in response to ever-changing
internal and external environments.