Jeremiah 9:23-24
This is what the LORD says, " Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom. Or the strong man boast of his strength, or the rich man boast of his riches. But let him who boasts boast about this....That he understands and knows me. That I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth. For in these I delight," declares the Lord.
It's not a secret that I am a big proponent of the Twelve Steps. I do not want to under state or over state their importance in this process we call recovery. But let it be known that the steps are merely a form of discipline and order that is brought to a life that has been lived in chaos and disarray.
My ultimate purpose is to introduce people to Jesus. He is the true doorway to a new life. A life that has so much more than just the absence of drugs and alcohol. A life that can offer to a broken individual more than they could ever dream of. I totally understand that when a person comes into a rehab, their primary concern is to simply make the pain stop. Changing their character or the way they view and interact with life is not even on their list, much less developing a relationship with Jesus.
As a person begins to detox and sober up, they are suddenly introduced to an entirely new world that is filled with emotional pain. Pain that they have medicated and covered up for years, is now unleashed and uncovered. Sometimes the emotional pain is greater than any physical pain a person could experience. It is in these first few days that much prayer is offered up on the individuals behalf. Asking for God's mercy to be poured out over them, and to take them through this "Valley of the shadow of death." I make it a point to let them know that we are praying for them and that God will take them through this period. Once on the other side of this experience, the person is usually very empty inside. There is an unspoken hunger or craving to fill up that emptiness. Here is where we begin to talk and teach about their need to consider who Jesus really is, and what He has to offer.
All this person has ever known has been the empty promises and lies that come with addiction. Now here they stand at a crossroad, so to speak, and there is a need to make a decision to change directions. Their old way of living hasn't worked out to well and, as I tell them......"Your very best thinking.....Your A-game.....has got you sitting in yellow chairs at white folding tables....here in rehab. You might want to take a look at the way you've been doing business. It ain't working."
The verses from Jeremiah speak so well of the culture today. I guess the more things change, the more they stay the same.
God talks about those who boast in money....in physical ability ...and in their intellectual prowess. Those are the big three in our society today. Throw in a life that has been taken over by addiction and you've got a dangerous standard to live by. The addict wants to make a lot of money, and he knows the way he can do so fast. By making and selling drugs themselves. Fast money and lots of it.......but they can't hold on to it.
They revel in their physical ability....
"I can out drink....out smoke.....out snort.....(insert the sin of choice)." I think the Bible refers to this as reveling in our iniquities. The addict brags about how long they have stayed awake after using. They boast of how long they went without food after getting high. Never once actually hearing the words coming out of their mouth...their hearts have become cold and hard. It takes a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit to break through such thoughts and arguments. But praise God! I've seen such arguments destroyed and hearts freed from such nonsense.
There is much boasting about how smart they have become.I like the way Romans 1:21-22 puts it: For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise ,they became fools. We see this in people who have gone through multiple rehabs. They have heard the message about recovery over and over and over. They have become so smart, they cannot recover. They know better than anyone who stands as a counselor or pastor. Those who live in this condition are truly in need of a saving work by God.
The wonderful part in all of this, is that I have seen God, time and time again, come and break the hardness and darkness off of an individual that seemed to be beyond even the reach of God. I dare not limit God anymore, but stand back and watch as he saves, restores and empowers those whom the world has given up on. My friend...........that is real recovery.
God on you.....
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