It Was a Dark and Stormy Night...

Well, maybe it was or maybe it wasn’t when one of my church leaders ditched his car. Thankfully he was by himself. Thankfully no other car was involved. Thankfully.

Why?

Because he had more than one too many.

It is never a proud moment in any pastor’s life when one of his parishioners gets his name in the paper for DUI. I don’t recall what my first reaction was to the news. I think I said, “Stink.” I am sure I thought something stronger and less pretty.

It is at times like these that I really hate sin. I hate what it does to an individual. I hate what it does to a family. And I hate what it does to people that are closely associated. We are never an island. When we sin, it hurts others. Always.

Through the years, I have had plenty of experience with hard hearts that will not bend. Sin is rationalized. Repeatedly, I hear, “It’s not that bad.” “I don’t have a problem; it was only a mistake.” I know all the lines. Blah, blah, blah.

When Sunday rolled around, I anticipated talking with this man thinking I would hear the usual lines. Thankfully, that’s not what I got. Thankfully.

In fact, I got more than I expected.

During the worship service, just before the message, he stood up and confessed his sin. He apologized for the sorrow he was causing his family, his employer and customers, and the body of Christ. He expressed regret for grieving his Lord. And he repented.

I love the number 180.

And now, because no excuses were made, addiction did not claim another victim. Truth won the day.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I John 1.9

The First Victim...

Leaders. Students. Pastors. Young or old. Educated and not. From should know better to trying to know better.

Alcohol. Drugs. Oxycontin. Vicodin. Dextromethorphan. Sex.

God has called on me to help several men this past year that are struggling with addictions. And as you can note above, the circumstances are all different.

One thing stays the same, however. The first victim.

Truth.

The situation may start innocently, without sin. But in a weak moment (a sinful moment), the will gives way and desire wins the day. And a pattern begins.

And because we foolishly think we can cover our sin, we lie. Over and over again. Till we can’t figure out the difference between the lies and the truth. Even when the evidence is overwhelmingly against us, we still insist that the lie is true. It is more than absurd.

There is hope though. When one is able to confront the addiction and tell the truth, the desire for wholeness is a reachable goal.

And hope continues. Regardless of your success or your failure on any given day. Hope always remains as long as you tell the truth.

For, the truth shall set you free…

Is This Lie a Sin?

Three years ago, my favorite aunt died. Aunt Elinore died suddenly and unexpectedly. I still miss her. She only brought joy into my life. Only joy.

In a coordinated manner, her husband, my Uncle Earl, was my favorite uncle. He always had a smile on his face and a joke to tell. In contrast to the quick death of his wife, my Uncle Earl is dying a slow and painful death. Not for him, thankfully, but for the rest of us it is. He has memory loss, and whether you call it dementia, Alzheimer's, or just old age, it doesn't matter. It is slow and agonizing to those who love him much.

Uncle Earl thinks that Aunt Elinore is still with him. He is totally unable to get it into his mind that she is gone. He lives in the continual hope she is coming around the corner.

Their son, Earl Jr. (my cousin) had the sad duty to tell his dad, and my uncle cried long and hard the first time he heard the news. The next day, Uncle Earl had forgotten, and when Earl Jr. reminded him, he cried long and hard. Then came the next day, and you guessed it, my uncle cried long and hard at the news his wife had died.

Earl Jr. was in a spot no one wants to be in. Shall he speak only truth and watch his dad grieve anew every day? Or does he pretend his mom is still alive? Yikes! What a conundrum!

Compassionately, he chose the latter. His dad simply cannot get it. His mind is broken.

And as far as I can see, imperfect as it is, I believe my cousin is doing it right by lying to his father. Perhaps it is an adequate application of the biblical principle found in I Peter 4.8:

Love covers a multitude of sins.