In the Renewed Man program, we focus on helping men live with sexual wholeness and integrity. The first key in this program is "Commitment." We commit to changing our behavior. We commit to engaging in the process -- doing the daily readings and action steps, participating in the group, being honest. But there's something else that we touch on this week where we're talking about commitment. It's this question:

WHY are you doing this? 

If it's just about YOU, you won't succeed. If it's just about you,  your "why" is too small, and over time your motivation will dry up. You'll get distracted or discouraged. 

The founders of 12 Step recovery understood this, and from the beginning they challenged members to think about -- and engage in -- service to others very early in the recovery process. They saw this as an essential part of recovery. 

They didn't only talk about "service" in a general way ... like setting up chairs or making coffee for the meetings. They challenged members -- EARLY in their recovery process -- to help other people in their recovery. In the early days of AA's history especially, they challenged members to work through the 12 Steps quickly, and then turn around and become sponsors to other people ... helping other people recover. 

This is exceedingly wise. In my view, this was one of the secrets to the great success of AA in the early years. To the extent that this commitment to service -- working through the 12 Steps aggressively so that new members turn around and become sponsors of others in a matter of weeks or months -- was diminished, the success of the program has been diminished.

Here's an excerpt from the teaching content of week one:

It’s been stated in this program before, but we can’t reiterate it enough: If you’re just on this path for yourself, your WHY is too small. 

Part of the motivation for this journey HAS to be

how it can help you help others. Your growth 

is incomplete unless and until 

you carry this message to others.  

There are so many men who are struggling, so many men who have become slaves to their passions, slaves to their jobs, slaves to the esteem of others, including their wives. So many men are going to church on Sunday after staying up late on Saturday night watching porn. They need you!

NEXT ACTION:

Today’s action is to think about WHO you know who might be in need of special help with the message of this program -- about renewed intimacy, sexual self-control, and dealing with stress. Today, pray for them. Think about any opportunity you might have to reach out to them.