Maybe Johnny Cash Was Right....

Maybe Johnny Cash was right. Maybe the way out of the darkness is to simply "walk the line."
"I keep a close watch on this heart of mine. I keep my eyes wide open all the time. I keep the ends out for the tie that binds...because you're mine.......I walk the line."

Psalm 1:6
For the LORD watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.

Cheery thoughts. Yes?
Sometimes you stop trying to analyze and over think things, and the simplicity of what you are facing is right there in front of you. In addiction and the process of coming out of that lifestyle, the simplicity of recovery truly is amazing. Now don't get me wrong. It is a battle to break free. It is a struggle and for some people it will be the hardest thing they have ever faced. But the bold truth is, just as the big book of A.A. says..."Rarely have we seen anyone fail who has followed our simple path."

I like the verse from Psalm 1.
Two paths....
One walked out by those who have given themselves to our Higher Power, Jesus....
And one path walked out by those who refuse to change their ways of thinking, still trying to do this in their own will and strength.
Psalm 1 says that only one path is watched over by the Lord. That would be the path of the godly.
The other path leads to destruction. If you were talking about addiction...that path would be walked out by someone who has gone to multiple rehabs. Someone who probably knows about the godly path more than most folks. They know where it leads, they have heard of the benefits of those who choose it........they simply will not get honest enough with themselves to turn and take that path.Lets take a look at Psalm 1.

V.1 - Oh the joys of those who do follow the advice of the wicked.....
King James Version says that anyone who does not walk in the council or advice of the wicked will be blessed. There are only two sources of council in this world. God or the devil. That is why I encourage people to surround themselves with godly people. People who are seeking after God's rule and reign in their lives. People who have given up the need to be in control and have turned it all over to God's care. The council of the wicked will only keep you on the dark and twisted path of sin and destruction.

V.1 - Continued - Oh the joys of those who do not stand around with sinners.
Did you catch that? Stand around? Not making progress on any level, but rather simply marking time thinking within yourself that you truly know what's going on. After all, you've been to multiple rehabs, what can they teach you? There are blessings upon blessing if you are not walking under the advice of those who do not know this Jesus. There are blessings when you do not hang around with other people who have chosen to remain in the darkness concerning their own addiction.

V.1 - Continued - Nor join in with scoffers.
KJV once again phrases this particular behavior as "Sitting in the seat of mockers." First off, lets take a look at the three different postures that are mentioned here in this first verse. 
1.)Walking (in the council of the wicked)
2.) Standing (in the way of sinners)
3.) Sitting (In the seat of mockers)
Did you catch that? You're walking.....you stop walking but your still standing...and finally you've given up  completely and you have sat down. It's hard to make progress when you have sat down and surrounded yourself with a bunch of "nay-sayers". 

If ever we needed to be delivered out of the darkness, pain and hopelessness of addiction, it is today.
We can count on the fact that God is all-powerful, and he always chooses to act at the best possible time. God is sovereign over every situation. Those who wrote the psalms have left us with a testimony that God is able to overcome the pain and darkness found in this life here on earth, and that he is always in control.
When we surrender our will and our life over to God's care, we find out the truth of that is written in Psalm 1.
V.3 - They (those who give themselves over to God's care) are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper.
I need to focus my thoughts and my heart on this truth. I need to let it be burned in my spirit, even though the voice in my head keeps telling me that all this God stuff is a bunch of hooey. I need to ask God to come and take my life, to change it for the better and lead me out of this path that leads to destruction.
Today is a good day to begin.....
All you have to have is a desire to stop.
May you find this God that is ready, willing and able to pour real life into you.
I am praying for you....

God on you....
mb