“Dad, I know what I’m doing, just leave me alone…”
A Lesson Learned
Those are the last words I remember saying before we started rolling backward down in a hill as a confused, frustrated and moderately angered 16-year-old version of me was learning how to drive a manual transmission car and my dad had forced into one of the toughest lessons you’ll ever have to master when learning how to drive a stick shift; starting the car while slowly rolling down a hill.
See dad knew something I didn’t know as I desperately wanted to control our Toyota minivan with as much ease and control as my dad but I hadn’t come to the place where I was sincerely ready to listen, learn and be thoroughly trained my dad.
Looking back at it now (20 years later) I’d like to think that my dad decided to make me drive up that hill on Division that was at a 45-degree incline. I think he was smart enough to know; “This kid needs a lesson in humility…I must put him in a position where he is ready to listen”.
Dad wasn’t an expert in leadership development in the vein of John Maxwell or Jon Collins but before Andy Stanley ever said; “Tension creates attention” my dad applied it.
It’s amazing how open, teachable, and humble I became after almost crashing the car as I rolled backwards for what felt like an eternity (it was probably only seconds but when you’re behind the wheel you suddenly feel the weight of it all).
Looking at Ourselves
I think it’s the same with our character flaws that we bring into our addiction recovery process. When we don’t see them as flaws we’re far less interested in changing. If we don’t see the depth of our dysfunctions (at the core level) then we might address some harmful symptoms (addictions, dysfunctional ways of relating, etc.).
But, we will never experience the deep work that God wants to perform. He doesn’t just desire changed behaviors; He desires a changed heart and that our motivations for doing the right things would come from a right place!
You might be in a time of intense tension; could it be that God is trying to get your ATTENTION? It might be a time of struggle and its God’s grace that you’re imperfect, manipulative, dysfunctional way of doing life and handling stress isn’t working anymore.
You must allow God to intervene in your character because the truth is, “You (like all of us) need to be refined, renewed and redeemed!
About the Author: Ryan received his BS in Bible and Theology and a minor in counseling from Multnomah University. He has pastored students, families and is passionate about Christ-centered recovery and healing.
He’s been married to his beautiful wife Michelle for 13 years and they enjoy raising four crazy, unique and special kids together. Ryan is the teaching pastor at Vast Church in Sisters, OR and is currently working on his Masters in Theology at Western Seminary in Portland, OR
He and his partners have created a website that focuses on the community of Central Oregonians. They are committed to sharing the culture, the landscape, the people, the beauty, the opportunities and the overall incredible community that is “The High Desert”. Please visit The High Desert Life.
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Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on March 14, 2016
Published on AddictionHope.com