Across the Bridge
  • Mission
  • Blog
  • DONATE
  • NEWS
  • Ministry Plans
  • Partners
  • Current Meetings
  • About
  • Mission
  • Blog
  • DONATE
  • NEWS
  • Ministry Plans
  • Partners
  • Current Meetings
  • About

ATB blog

Celebration

8/26/2014

0 Comments

 
The national statistics are not good for people who are battling addiction. At best 30% get right, 30% are always in an up and down battle that may or may not end wrong. And a whopping 40% end up incarcerated, in treatment or in a pine box because of it. So when someone beats the odds to be in that 30% who make it, we celebrate!

Sounds a lot like the story of the lost sheep. Even though the odds of finding it and it's safe return are low, God would leave the other 99 to try to find it. So He and those rejoicing angels have a party when a lost sinner comes home, and not just a party but an eternal celebration. 

Pause here for a moment and parallel the story of the prodigal son and consider his brother. Imagine how he felt always trying to do right, and here comes his wild man brother who gets the fatted calf and fancy cloak. Jealousy, envy, holier than thou....fill in your blanks. Maybe today there are some who feel like addicts should never celebrate finally getting it right, but from what I read, that's not biblical or Christ like.

What Jesus taught me was never to give up on anyone, despite how far they fall away. Always be ready to welcome them with open arms when they return with remorse. And if they become a model of healing that others can take hope in then give God the glory, and never consider yourself any better, just be happy God can claim another victory over darkness.

Maybe that's why Jesus ate with the despised tax collectors and notorious sinners, he saw their potential instead of their credentials. He saw their need rather than their greed. He saw a story of redemption not perfection. He saw you, he saw me and he sees that old broken down man on the street corner begging for money, and I would bet his words are something like, "that's my guy, wait and see".

So let's all celebrate anyone who has the courage to make a major change, they need our help to continue to fight the battle. And those that have always gotten it right, please be an encourager not a discourager!

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Glenn Yankowski

    Glenn is an ex-Marine Viet Nam vet who is also a recovering alcoholic, clean and sober for 30 years. He has been involved in start up and ongoing recovery ministry at North Atlanta Church and Campus for the last two decades. He has a passion for outreach and to spread the message that the answer to lasting and fulfilling recovery from addiction is in a relationship with Jesus Christ. He and the ATB team are available to assist in your questions or needs on an individual basis and will do so maintaining complete confidentiality. You may e-mail him at sgtski@bellsouth.net.

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly