Screwed for Life

TRUTH

I have been crucified with Christ. It Is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.

Galatians 2:20

REFLECTION

“Once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic.”

“There is no such thing as making a normal drinker out of an alcoholic.”

Divisive statements if you still hold on, however fleetingly, to the idea of drinking or using “normally”.

What makes me so enticed by the prospect?

An onlooker might be as baffled as we should be: here is a hopeless addict who finds a way out through surrender, self-sacrifice and a rekindling of a faith in God.

Joy becomes an experience rather than a memory. Friendships occur rather than run away.

And yet.

There is a lurking idea that surfaces like a dark passenger waiting patiently for a moment to strike.

As I look back prayerfully, I can see clearly: the passenger is my old self, the one who I can choose to leave on the cross or to follow back into despair.

He’ll kill me in a heartbeat.

God enables us to come to the end of our old selves by surrendering to the fact that we can’t beat the passenger. We are given the strength to make a new beginning instead.

And this is the painful part: we’ve got to die to live; we’ve got to surrender to keep going; we’ve got to come to the end of ourselves to begin.

God, help me give up completely.

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NEXT

When you’re ready, here are some tools for you:

1. Book List (amazon link)
   Some of my favorite reads related to recovery and/or wrestling with faith.

2. 4th Step Guide (free download)
   A PDF with instructions and worksheets for a thorough 4th step. Straight from the Big Book. Fearlessness not included.

3. 12-Step Christianity (YouTube)
   My thoughts on the parallels between discipleship and sponsorship.

KEEP LEANING FORWARD

Cheers, Eamonn
Contact on LinkedIn, YouTube & Twitter.