I get that and I'll admit it was tough. I had huge issues with the higher power concept and had all my thinking convoluted confusing religion with spirituality. I felt the need to believe what other did (or appeared to) but I couldn't do it intellectually. Huge internal struggle most of my life......
What helped me turn the corner was my sponsor asking me a few questions......Was I powerless over anything? I hesitated and he said, that it was evident I was powerless over whiskey and I had to agree. He then asked me if I was could stop the tide from going in and out at the beach. With those answered, he asked IF, since I acknowledged whiskey and the ocean were more powerful than I, was it possible there are other forces more powerful as well.
When I agreed it was possible, he had me stop right there and said that was enough.....willingness to believe. That's where it started for me, and sometimes has to restart for me when I get off kilter.
That said, I also know some people in AA who in whatever fashion they choose, do not really have a higher power that they acknowledge. It works for them and they're happy and sober so who am I to say what's right or wrong. The goal isn't to ace some compliance test. The goal is to live soberly; happy, joyous and free...... so whatever works sounds like a good plan to me.