VERSE:
God in His wisdom selected this group of men and women
to be the purveyors of his goodness. In selecting those to
bring about this phenomenon he went not to the proud, the
mighty, the famous nor the brilliant. He went, instead, to
the humble and the unfortunate, to the drunkard - the
so-called weakling of the world.
He might well have said to us, ‘Unto your weak and feeble
hands I have entrusted a power beyond estimate. To you
have been given that which has been denied the most
learned of your fellows. Not to scientists, not to wives nor
mothers, not even to my priests or ministers have I given
this gift of healing other alcoholics which I entrust to you.
It must be used unselfishly. It carries with it grave
responsibility. No day can be too long - no effort too great.
It must be used with tolerance for I have restricted its
application to no race, any creed and no denomination.
Personal criticism you must expect. Lack of appreciation
will be common. Ridicule will be your lot. Your motives
will be misjudged.
You must be prepared for adversity, for what men call
adversity is the ladder you must ascend - rung by rung -
toward spiritual perfection and remember, in the exercise
of this power, I shall not exact from you beyond your
capabilities.
You are not selected because of your exceptional talents.
Be careful always, if success attends your efforts, not to
ascribe to personal superiority that to which you can lay
claim only by virtue of my gift.
If I had wanted learned men to accomplish this mission,
the power would have been entrusted to the physician
and scientist.
If I had wanted eloquent men there would have been
many anxious for the assignment, for talk is easiest
used of all the talents which I have endowed mankind.
If I had wanted scholarly men, the world is filled with
better quallified men than you who would be available.
You were selected because you have been the outcasts
of the world and your experience as drunkards has made
(or should make) you humbly alert to the cries of distress
that come from the lonely hearts of alcoholics everywhere.
Keep ever in mind the admission you made on the day
of your profession in Alcoholics Anonymous - that you
are powerless and that it was only with your willingness
to turn your life and will unto my keeping that relief
came to you.
