A Sunday School teacher said to her class, “We have been learning in the Bible about powerful kings and queens. But there is a higher power. Can anybody tell me what it is”? One child blurted out “ACES”!

I am so thrilled that our church, Joy Lutheran, is now hosting an AA meeting on Sunday afternoons. I wanted to make a point of telling their leader that what he does is ministry. What recovery groups do is truly remarkable. They realize that overcoming addiction is not possible unless there is a spiritual component to it. You have to surrender yourself to the Higher Power – notice I didn’t say a higher power. Only Jesus is strong enough to save. Other religions can certainly offer a path to enlightenment, even inner peace. But in my experience the only ones who have truly stayed sober or “clean” are those who acknowledge the love of God in Christ Jesus. There are no guarantees on the road to recovery. I have a tragic example in my own family, recently. Life was good for him, manageable for quite a while until he came adrift from his moorings (he loved fishing and boating, so the metaphor is apropos). The struggles are painfully real.

Christian community, even gathering in a place that is a church, is critically essential in finding life again. When faith is in flux, you may find yourself alone in the wilderness. Cast adrift from your moorings. In those times you, or whoever you are trying to help, can remember these affirmations:

       I am me and I am acceptable to God.
       I do not need to feel guilty for being in this place.
       I can and will make it, with the help of God.
       I can learn and grow from this experience.
       God loves me unconditionally.

Pastor Art