I was barely six years old when I first began to notice the beverages that my
parents drank. Most of the time, they would share them with me if I asked, but
there was this one brownish liquid that my dad drank, that no matter how hard I
begged, he wouldn't let me try. He called it "Alcohol". I didn't understand. Why
was this stuff "off-limits" for me, when his juice and soda were readily shared?
He explained that it was because I was "too young", but the more I thought about
it, the more it didn't make any sense. Why was I too young for this, and not for
the other drinks? If it was as good as my dad seemed to think it was, why
shouldn't it be enjoyed by everyone? Especially a 6 year-old?
The more I thought about it, the more I determined I became to try some of this
forbidden liquid. I bided my time until one evening my parents went to a movie,
leaving my older brother and I in the care of our grandmother. I was playing in
the kitchen, and naturally, my eyes were attracted to the cupboard over the sink
where my dad kept the different flasks of that brownish liquid. "I wonder what
it tastes like?" I whispered. I looked around quickly to see who might be
watching me, but I was in luck. My grandmother was busy watching TV and my older
brother was reading in the other room. There was absolutely no one there to stop
me!
I carefully crawled up onto the kitchen counter, and with one last guilty look
over my shoulder, I made my way to the cupboard. Grabbing the first bottle I
could reach, I screwed off the top and smelled it. Yuck! It burned my nostrils!
Maybe my nose should have stopped me, but it didn't. If my dad enjoyed it as
much as he did, surely the taste must be better than the smell! But when I
swallowed that first mouthful, I thought I was going to die. It burned my
throat, it made my eyes water, and it was all I could do to pant in breath. How
could anyone drink this stuff and act like they were enjoying it!
I began to feel a bit dizzy. I didn't know why, but in case it was the brown
liquid, I closed the bottle, put it exactly where I had found it and crawled
back to the floor.
Now what?
I decided to go into the living room where my grandma was watching TV, and to my
amazement, she was watching a documentary on the dangers of alcohol! I was too
young to fully comprehend what was being said, but I remember how shocked I felt
about the possible disastrous consequences caused by that brownish liquid. Right
then and there, I decided to never touch the stuff again.
I only broke my resolve once. When I was 12, we were in a car accident and to
"get over the shock", my parents forced me to drink a small glass of Brandy. But
the taste hadn't improved in six years and being reminded of my early decision,
I recommitted myself to a life of abstinence, and though the peer pressure and
social obligations of my teen and early adult years often made it difficult, I
was never again swayed.
It was years later that I learned that I came from several generations of
alcoholics on both sides of my family. My decision, made at six years of age,
was perhaps what helped me to escape the fangs of this monster that continues to
hold held the rest of my family in its nasty grasp.
As I reflect on the circumstances that led me years ago to abstinence, I realize
how much sin is like alcohol. People rave about it and everyone has a longing
desire to taste it, even from very early on. No one has ever been able to shake
off their sinful tendencies, and most of us don't even seem to WANT to get rid
of them! Some boast about their sinful actions. Others are ashamed, but don't
know how to get away from its vicious grasp. This brings great sorrow to God,
especially because sin creates a chasm between us, making it impossible for us
to enjoy the close relationship He desires to have with each of us.
Yes, sin seems to be here to stay. On our own, there is no way out. However God
did the impossible to deliver us from its consequences. Two thousand years ago
He died the death we deserved. But He didn't stay dead. Instead, He came back to
life, making His resurrection power available to us all: "But thanks be to God!
He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Cor 15:57 NIV) And He
invites each of us-everyone!-to let Him dwell in our hearts. He hungers for an
intimate relationship with each of us, even the worst of sinners: "God our
Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."
(1 Tim 2:3-4 NIV)
Those who welcome His offer experience inner peace and joy. Though trials still
come their way, they find strength in their new found friend. They are not alone
any longer. They have someone they can rely on, someone who will give them
victory. As the newly-found relationship with God takes precedence, sin becomes
less attractive. They have stepped out of death into life, a life full of
excitement and adventures with a friend that will never abandon them: "We have
passed from death to life…" (1 John 3:14 NIV)
Sinhigh (being addicted to sin) or sinyuck (having a distaste to sin). What will
your choice be? I will always choose a relationship with Jesus over anything
else. Sin, just like alcohol is addictive, and it doesn't even taste good!
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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