About a hundred plus, all ages, men and women jumping
up and down, singing and shouting about Jesus and getting free from drugs in the way
that works.
This was not a regular church service but a Celebrate Recovery meeting we recently attended. It occurs every Monday night in Hollywood, Florida and around 20,000 other locations around the world. Walking into this setting is rather startling at first. People are excited and thrilled to be there praising Jesus.
These men and women I never
met before felt like family to me.
We stand with Stevie B and Ray who head up a charge at the JC Recovery House like the
biblical Joshua of old straight into the drug battle to rescue one life at a
time. They’re fearless of the enemy. They understand. Addictions hurt. Addictions kill. Addictions trapped our grandson.
Life is hard. Drugs seem easy. But feeling good is oh so
temporary. Drugs are a management tool that turns on you and manages you.
I sat three years ago with our grandson Drew as he confessed his
addiction. He said I hate what oxy has done to me. I wake up and all I can
think about is where will I get my next pills? (At first the pills were prescribed for
him after a clavicle injury. He went on
to heroin.)
Drew said nothing else mattered more than getting his next
drugs. He hid it from the beautiful girl he loved. His drug use eventually shattered
their relationship. Until the day he died at age twenty-four he wanted her
back and she never stopped loving him.
Who doesn’t want to feel good? Drugs are a short cut to euphoria fraught
with danger. Nobody sees the danger at first. Addictions tempt us all and they
always dirty up a life. Whether it’s drugs or food or pornography or TV shows
over the edge of decency that a person must see every week. Addictions prevent
living our best life, being our best.
These men and women got caught in a trap. They need to learn
they don’t have to be perfect to be loved deeply. The love of God is forever
and it’s available even in the throes of their addicted life.
Maybe in the growing-up-years too much was asked of an
addict or perhaps too little was expected. Or
maybe none of that. They just thought they’d give this tiger a try for a
thrill. Surely they could beat it when they wanted to stop. Wrong.
Drugs are never the answer. Jesus is always the answer. Life
is so rich and full when lived as family with Him. With brothers and sisters in
Christ.
The design of God for living well can be learned in the biblical
book of Proverbs, in the Gospels stories of Jesus, and the life changing works
of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus’s plan for every life is always simple and right. He says in
effect: “Use Your God-given gifts with
ease and delight, you don’t have to be the best or first. You are not the dregs
of your society. You are always precious. Rest in me. Do life with me. I will
give you peace.”
Peace is contentment - a sweet word. Average can be
beautiful.
The family of God is real. Being part of a family is a safe
place.
Some addicts once had families that were destroyed for one
reason or another. Some never knew a family life experience. They have family
now. Recovery people are their family with skin and beyond that is the huge
family of God. Family feels right and
good because that’s how we’re all meant to live. JC Recovery House is a family
fighting together to live a grace-empowered life. This place wasn't available when Drew needed it. It's there now partly because of him. Drew's picture hangs on the wall in the office as a reminder that this battle can't be fought alone.
My husband and I will do all we can to help others get
free. We pray and we support the work
of JC Recovery House in Hollywood Florida. If you’d like to know more about
them check out their website at: http://www.jcsrecoveryhouse.com
No comments:
Post a Comment