Addictions are Symptoms

As way of background, Caron is a 12-step program for drug and alcohol recovery. Most of Caron’s clients are sixteen to eighteen year olds from affluent homes. Many of the kids never had a relationship with their parents and have fallen into one addiction or another.

Father Bill, himself a recovering alcoholic, gave the most moving sermon about the effects of addiction. He spoke about how the addiction robs the soul of the alcoholic. But how cool was it to see teenager after teenager give testimony about how God had met them where they were and restored them. Many parents were there to see their child. Parents came down and embraced their kids—sometimes for the first time. We were seeing restoration right before our eyes. And a teenager’s eyes that were so often distant were vibrant.  The love these kids had for each other and Father Bill was palpable. What I was seeing and experiencing was God running to these kids, and they were responding.

As I hold the Twelve Steps in my hand, here are the first three: We (1) Admitted we were powerless over alcohol/drugs—that our lives had become unmanageable. (2) Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. (3) Made a decision to turn over our lives to the care of God as we understood Him.  Wow, this was the story of the prodigal son lived out.

The Greek word metanoia describes this change of heart.  A common line of thinking is that we need a “change of heart” or repentance before we approach God--and then, and only then, will God accept us. However, as in the case of the Prodigal, the son returned home only wanting to get something to eat so he wouldn’t die—not to restore his relationship with this father. Also, in the case of the teenagers at Caron, they didn’t seek to restore their relationship with God, but could only admit that they are powerless over their addiction. In the company of fellow alcoholics/addicts they discovered this truth together that God didn’t reject them at their lowest point. Rather he ran to them and embraced them with love. Metanoia points to the experience that we are powerless to restore ourselves and that only when God runs to us can we have a change in heart.

The Sinner’s prayer, although accurate, is more of a formula then a personal encounter. Imagine that you have just fallen in love, would you explain to your friend, “I met this girl who is very good and she is some who I want to spend my life not sinning against. And my endorphins are raised when I am with her.”

Here is the sinner’s prayer:

 “Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.”

It seems that God would be pleased with a prayer like this:

“Father, I am not worthy to be called your son/daughter. Your sacrifice, your outpouring of love for me makes me whole.  May I live in you and reflect your love. May I keep my eyes on you always, not on my sin. Your mercy sustains me--rules are death to me, you are my life.  I am overwhelmed that you restored me to be your son/daughter.”