Born to Run

​Have you seen the Marine Corps commercial where they run toward rather than away from the battle? I learned that, but I forgot it for many years while staggering about in my addiction. Then when I met the Lord it all began to come back to me.

I took heart in the fact that his disciples scattered when confronted with their belief, except for the women it seemed who had enough courage to stay until the bitter end. We may think we as men have a lock on courage, but we need to think again. We must all pose the internal question to ourselves, when confronted with conflict, do we stand and fight or run?

Some of us may be just Born To Run from a background of addiction and other past experiences.

Others may take a long hard look at the situation to see what the consequences are before they decide. They say alcohol and other mind altering drugs can confuse us with temporary courage, but what do we do in sobriety? What training do we have to keep us committed to what we believe in that allows us to stand and fight? (Not speaking literally about violence, only about resolve)

For me, it is simple. Sure being a Marine helped, I still retain what I learned back then. But what really infuses my spirit is learning from Jesus, who stood his ground despite the pain and suffering it caused him. He did what he said he was going to do though spending at least one night in angst over his fate. He never used Spirits to gain strength, he instead called upon the Spirit to enable him to endure.

For those many years of addiction I too was an escape artist, hiding behind the curtain of alcohol, drugs and sex. Then when sober, it took me many years to get this right. You are nothing more than your word, and your words are never greater than your actions. It is never wrong to do the right thing, and always without exception, harmful, to do the wrong thing.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will, have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Words of wisdom from John 16, words of action from one who stood his ground.