Matthew 9:36
But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.
No wonder holiday seasons are depressing for some. No wonder more suicides take place during the holiday season than at any other time. Every where you turn, you see images and commercials that portray a "happy, happy, joy, joy" kind of celebration. Trying to live up to such an image is impossible for those in addiction. In fact, such images and thoughts only drive a person deeper into their addiction. The images that are all around only exist to remind the addict how terrible life is for them.
There is a level of existence out there for some that never escapes the darkness. Never eludes the pain, nor breaks free from the constant cravings. In this place, some see death as the only escape. That is why the message of the cross is needed more now than ever. The Good News that you don't have to live bound up in addictive chains.
I had to go to the grocery store yesterday, and as I wandered up and down the isles, I ran into a person that I graduated high school with. We chatted for a few minutes and then they began to relate their current relationship with their daughter. Their eyes filled with tears as they shared what had transpired on Christmas day. They had to distance themselves from their own child.Had to tell their daughter that they no longer could have any contact with them until they were ready to seek help. What made things worse is that this daughter has been to several rehab's, but only to beat legal issues, not to move on with their life. Such decisions made by parents only reveal how much love they do have for their children.
There is a saying in treatment that is usually directed toward families that will not do the tough thing in helping their children, but seek to only enable them, thinking that such actions show love. What is the saying? "You're loving your child to death!" You're not helping, you're only pushing them closer to their death.This is why they need to know that there is a solution to their addiction. The answer is found in a person,and that person is Jesus. As I learned early on when I came to Rapha, People don't have a drug or alcohol problem.......they have a living problem. That problem exists because of a broken relationship with Christ.
In the verse from Matthew 9 we see the heart of Jesus. He sees what is going on. He truly does, and this hasn't changed. He sees our struggles...He sees us separated and wandering without any sense of direction or hope. He calls to those in the darkness and reveals himself as the Way Out...The Truth We Have Been Searching For.......and The Life. Not "a" life....Not "One" of many different types of life....But "THE" only source of true life that can lift a person out of their sin/sickness.
What does it take for such a so-called miracle to take place?
"We turn our will and life over to the care of God as we understood Him." To turn something over means that we relinquish our control....our need to be in charge over to someone who is more capable and able to guide us through the every day decisions we face. We enter into a submissive partnership with a Power greater than ourselves who could (and can) restore us to sanity (the ability to make sound decisions).
No matter what has transpired in 2015....
2016 can be the year that a new life is found in Christ.
What do you say?
God on you...
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