One of the great classic works of the Christian faith tells of a man who becomes aware of the spiritually impoverished nature of his life. He talks the matter over with his family and friends, but finds relief only when a chance acquaintance asks him:

If this be thy condition, why standest thou still?

Told by this acquaintance the direction to go ...

... the Man began to run.

Now he had not run far from his own door, but his Wife and Children, perceiving it, began to cry after him to return; but the Man put his fingers in his ears, and ran on, crying Life! Life! Eternal Life! So he looked not behind him, but fled towards the middle of the Plain.

When we embark on the new journey of Steps 10, 11 and 12, we naturally want to take those that are close to us with us. Our friends in AA, those members of our family who have shared the adventure of recovery with us, are important to us. But the fact is that they may not choose to accompany us. They may be content with their lives as they are; they may not feel any pressing need to deepen the spiritual aspect of their lives. This may become a problem for us if, in addition to remaining where they are, they urge us to stay with them. Like the man in this story, we must make this journey. As we do so, it is not so much that we run away from them as that we run towards a more profound spiritual life.