Never The Same

Isaiah 26:3 NIV

"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."

I read an article the other day by a music artist who plays in the Christian music scene.  He was disturbed that people do not drink at Christian concerts because so many Christians drink and smoke anywhere else.  He lamented at how easily Christian music can be identified because Christian artists do not take risks with their sound.  It was a long article. 

Okay.  So Jesus drank wine.  So Paul may have said to have a little wine for medicinal purposes to a brother having stomach issues.  Yes, elders were not to be drunken or lovers of strong drink.   I get it.  I am not going to say alcohol is evil.

Believe it or not, I am not off topic yet.  I used to drink heavily with my friends when I was not a Christian.  I thought it was the only way I could fit in.  I wasn't good looking.  I wasn't savvy in common sense though I was book smart.  I was naive about a lot of things.

Drinking began to take its toll.  I graduated with honors from high school but in college I was trying so hard to find myself and to be accepted that I partied too much.  Numerous Ds and an F began to appear in my grades.  I was losing control and falling deeper into a world that was swallowing me whole.

Jesus was the only One who cared.  He cared so much that He brought my dad to salvation.  Jesus cared so much that He convinced my dad to kick me out of the house if I did not return to church (I wasn't making much money as a student so going to church was easy).  Jesus cared so much that the balcony was closed one night and I had to sit at eye level with the preacher (in the back of course).  He cared so much that He directed the minister to point to me and ask me to come forward to receive Christ as my Savior.  He loved me so much that I received Him and was immediately filled with the Holy Spirit - yes, with evidence in speaking in tongues. 

The whole event is permanently seared into my soul - it was real.  My life changed.  I no longer could stand the smell or sight of alcohol.  To be honest, I tried to go back to who I was and could not.  I no longer liked who I was and loved who Jesus was guiding me to be.  My grades improved.  My friendships improved.  My life improved.  I was chastised for not drinking anymore and told I could no longer be a friend to my old friends because I changed.  The one who chastised me was drinking in a Christian concert unbeknownst to him.  The band had a very different sound and for a long time I did not know they were Christian until I listened to what was being sung.  It was a story about one nailed to a cross and dying on a tree.

I rarely tell this story because I do not care to remember my past though it tries to haunt me.  I love God and the future He has provided.  I have experienced perfect peace and will remain steadfast.  I trust completely in God's plan.  I may not be perfect but He is.

There are a lot of people who struggle with addictions - alcohol included.  When I participate in something they struggle, I take a chance of making that struggle more difficult.  Sure,  I might not have a problem with it, but am I modeling a better way of life if I flaunt my abilities to control what they cannot?  Am I modeling a steadfast lifestyle by flirting with the gray areas of sin?

This is a sensitive subject for me.  I teach abstinence because it models a way of life to help free those trapped by their addictions.  I also go to great lengths not to poison my body with substances such as smoking.  Since losing my gall bladder I struggle with my weight but I am keeping it under control but not as much as I like.

I say this not to condemn but to encourage.  We all struggle but I choose to point people away from things that can cause them to struggle more.  Being steadfast in Christ may not always be cool in society but it is always a place to find petfect peace.  God keeps us there.  Read the verse again.  Trust God and let Him be your strength and your peace.  He loves you too much to leave you the same as He found you.  Follow Him and find out for yourself.