“God, I offer myself to Thee—to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that my transcendence over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy power, Thy love, and Thy way of life. May I do Thy will always!” ~ AA World Services Inc. As Bill Sees It. A.A. World Services, Inc.. Kindle Edition.

Most of us read this passage,
the Third Step Prayer, amazed
to see “victory” replaced by “transcendence…”
but then again this is Bill Wilson,
the major author of the Big Book, speaking.
What does this tell us of his understanding
of the intent of the prayer?
The Oxford dictionary offers:
“Transcendence: Existence
or experience beyond
the normal or physical level.”
Is that the same as victory?
Did Bill’s understanding
of Step Three evolve
between 1939 and 1967?
Was he avoiding a conflict
between VICTORY
and “we have ceased fighting anything
or anyone — even alcohol.”?
God doesn’t quibble about vocabulary.
God wants to communicate with us
on a personal basis deeper, more real,
than a choice of words.