I looked at yesterday’s Catch again and realize I got sidetracked by the AA/church comparison – something that has intrigued me for some time, but was not the reason I was drawn to write about this in the first place. So pardon me while I revisit the statement that caught my eye, “We don’t come to AA to see through each other, but to see each other through.”
Let’s think for a minute about those who spend their time trying to see through each other. Such is a statement of judgment, comparison, and superiority. When you think you see through someone, you think you have them figured out, and as a result, you are superior to them. It’s an orientation that is full of assumptions with everyone jockeying for positions. And when you are in a group where everyone is doing this, you are in a place where you can’t trust anyone. Everyone’s suspicious, so everyone is going it alone.
But if, instead, you are simply trying to see each other through, there is no judgment, no measurement, and no hierarchy. Everyone is serving everyone else. We are all trying to make each other successful. We are all giving each other a boost. In this environment, you are much more likely to trust and be worthy of trust. No one has anything to prove because everyone is already accepted. Membership in this group is automatic. You are who you are and that’s okay. People in this group need each other. It’s a good feeling.
I know which group I want to be in. And isn’t this the way it’s suppose to be? Isn’t this the body of Christ?
John Fischer The Catch 
You are on to something today. Once again we find outside of the church what we desire inside the church. I used to say, I wish my Christian friends treated me s well as my non-Christian friends.
Walk with me and we’ll get through.
How true.
A friend of mine calls AA’s 12 steps the Gospel in code. The whole model of the AA program is built on recovery, unity and service. One helping another. It reminds me of the prayer, “Through Him, with Him, in Him…”.
Yes.
I have been involved in Celebrate Recovery for 18 months & sober as long. We help to “see each other through”. To find healing or sobriety, we believe that a person needs to be honest with themseleves, with God & with someone they trust. We don’t “see through” each other, because we see each other the same. Romans 3:23
Very nice.
Makes me think of “Brother’s Keeper”, by Rich Mullins
“Now the plumber’s got a drip in his spigot
The mechanic’s got a clank in his car
And the preacher’s thinking thoughts that are wicked
And the lover’s got a lonely heart
My friends ain’t the way I wish they were – they are just the way they are
And I will be my brother’s keeper – not the one who judges him
I won’t despise him for his weakness. I won’t regard him for his strength.
I won’t take away his freedom. I will help him learn to stand.
And I will – I will be my brother’s keeper”
Love this. Thanks. I may use this tomorrow.
John — have you had a chance to see “The King’s Speech” yet? You should, if you haven’t. I learned something from it that I think is similar to what you wrote about here. 🙂
(The R rating is for bad language, used in a speech therapy context, in case anyone wanted to know about that!)
Thanks. I’ve read some very good reviews so I’m anxious to see it.
sounds awful “pie in the sky” like to me…it is the ideal no doubt….but being involved in our church leadership, my experience is quite different. Discernment is sometimes diagnosed as judgement…but its not. and it is necessary….i’ve seen all kinds of “spiritual” motives end up being personal motives…mine included. and its not pleasant finding out or being found out. humbling though.
I totally agree, and have thought this for some time. When I went to Toastmasters, everyone had a job to do – which included them immediately – and there we felt like a ‘team’ – encouraging each other and helping each other. That is the way it should be. I’ve been attending a church in my city for over four years and am finally quitting because every Sunday when I walk out of there I feel sad. Sad because the only contact I’ve had is with the person handing out bulletins at the door, and the people I shook hands with during the ‘greet one another’ time. When the service is over, I walk out alone while others are standing around chatting with each other! People have told me to keep trying – get involved. I’ve done that – hosted a small group, led small groups, tutored in the ESL club, hosted a table at the missions conference. None of these has led to relationships, which I crave more than a good service!
Next Sunday I’m going to attend a different church and hope I find what I crave – Christian fellowship!
Thanks for your posts. I wish more Christians thought like you. …and acted like you.
Right on! The incarnation of our Lord is God’s great declaration that God chooses not to see through us, but to enter our flesh, live among us, and to literally see us through this life and into eternity.
Loved this one! The poem….Brother’s Keeper is a wonderful reminder.
God Bless.
Fuller Seminary is leading the way in inter-religious dialogue. Their most recent Alumni magazine, Theology News and Notes is devoted to the topic. Their president uses what he calls Fuller’s convening influence” to meet with Jewish, Muslim and Mormon leaders in open forums that are respectful and with full integrity of Christian identity. I must admit some of it makes me uncomfortable, but that’s a good thing. Makes me think and pray.
I’m sure he’s going to get a lot of heat for it but good for him. Richard Mouw has consistently been a voice for civility. We need more Christians like him.