We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
The implied decision of Step 3 is to continue with the program to the best of our ability. This includes working the 12 Steps with a sponsor, going to meetings regularly, striving to improve our characters, making amends to those we’ve harmed and helping others. Willingness is the key principle of Step 3, and the decision is a commitment to our ongoing recovery. If I believe that the God of my understanding has guided me to this point in my journey, then I can trust that my continued efforts will result in greater benefits and growth. These efforts are not only directed to enhance my chances of continued sobriety, but also help me follow my conscience in all areas of my life. Practicing Step 3 is about trying to do the next right thing in all circumstances. For me, it can be as easy as picking up trash that I notice, or it can be more involved such as volunteering my time and energy to worthwhile causes. In practicing Step 3, I strive towards making choices that feel right to me and result in my feeling good about being a productive, responsible member of society. The more willing I am to work Step 3, the more I realize this involves turning my will and life over to the God of my understanding. The short, powerful Third Step request from the NA Basic Text help me on this journey: Take my will and my life, guide me in my recovery, show me how to live.