“How do we end up like this?
Living lives that we don’t care about?
Too busy fixing things
On computer screens
While the grass grows green
Me, I’m screaming out”
-Ben Rector, Beautiful
Until you realize the intended purposes for your life you will flounder in far lesser pleasures, beauties and glories. CS Lewis paints a powerful metaphor in his sermon; “The Weight of Glory” when he says;
“It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”
Addicts start using their “drug of choice” to bring excitement, fun, community and control back to their life while simultaneously (and unknowingly) bringing numbness, chaos and pain into their life. Drugs and alcohol are fun… but only in the short-term.
Consider a Different Scenario
What if I told you that there was a God who made Himself known and part of God’s mission was not only to make His glory known but also to satisfy the deepest longings of your heart and life? What if I told you that no drug or no high would ever bring real meaning, purpose, joy or high that only God could fill? What if I told you that every time you took a hit you were unconsciously looking for God and that God is waiting and wanting to heal you and redeem you? What if I told you that this holiday season is a chance to connect with the Living God in a fresh way as you consider His great salvation and love for you?
The Decision is Up to You
Revelation 3:20 leaves us all with a compelling invitation that we must all consider:
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me”
What will you do with that knocking? Will you reject it and continue in the downward spiral of abuse or will you open the door and let Jesus be the truest friend and the Savior of your life that you so desperately need?
Community Discussion – Share Your Thoughts Here!
How has Christ reshaped purpose in your life and in addiction recovery?
About the Author:
Ryan Moffat 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
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.
The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of addictions. These are not necessarily the views of Addiction Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.
We at Addiction Hope understand that addictions result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an addiction, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.
Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on November 28, 2016
Published on AddictionHope.com