faith unfaded

I generally avoid discussing divisive topics because of Titus 3:9:

But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.

I’ll stand my ground when it’s a matter of salvation. Otherwise I steer clear of controversy, especially in the church. I’ve spent time worshipping in many different denominations. We can look at differences, or we can look at a common goal: Christ, and in Him crucified.

But a conversation earlier today about my sober lifestyle made me want to clarify my choice.

Quite simply, I live a sober lifestyle because I never was able to have just a drink or two. Eschewing fruity drinks with umbrellas, I went for whiskey and didn’t stop until I literally dropped. Even a 30-year alcohol abstinence break did nothing to change this when I decided to revisit “taking the edge off” after my divorce a couple of years ago. I realized I still cannot drink casually so I stopped.

Some of my friends drink; some don’t. It isn’t something that bothers me in the slightest, it is just something I’ve chosen not to do. After years of needing to deal with life altered in some way, I love living with my naturally goofy-even-when-sober self.

The conversation reminded me of a dilemma I once had. I’d prepared a message for the residents of an inner-city drug and alcohol recovery mission in Mobile about not using a different drug (or alcohol) just because you’d never had a problem with it before. If you struggle with addiction or alcoholism, switching to drugs or alcohol won’t change that.

But before I gave my message, the minister who went before me shared a little about his own past addiction. And then proceeded to tell them it was okay to drink if that’s something you never struggled with. “Just don’t do your drug of choice and you’ll be okay,” he shared.

I was floored. Not only was it in direct opposition to the message I’d prepared, I felt like he’d just led a herd of sheep off a steep cliff.

I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t want to directly contradict the other minister and create division. I didn’t want to stay silent. I wondered if I should preach a different message and save that one for later. In the end, he ended up speaking the entire time and the problem was solved. Whether it was God or Satan stopping me, I didn’t speak at all that evening.

I never ministered with him again and I did eventually share that message. I also recognized the hypocrisy when I later tried to drink again myself. Sure enough, my words proved true. Strongholds don’t lose their power over time.

For some, it’s a matter of health. For others, it’s simply a choice. Yet others cite DNA proclivities. I’m not a fan of religions who forbid all drinking when even Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding.

But I respect an individual’s decision regarding alcohol.

I just wanted to be open about mine.