My father was at a low point in his life. He’d lost his marriage, his home, and his ability to live a normal life. He was imprisoned by alcoholism. I tried to comfort him, but my words didn’t help.
But one day, I read Jesus’ words to him, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest.”[1]
I read the rest of the chapter and explained to Dad that Jesus wanted to give him the rest from this great burden. He began to cry. The philosophies of his college had led Dad to doubt God’s existence. But Jesus’ words opened up the eyes of his heart. Eventually, Dad entrusted his life to Christ.
But Dad still struggled. There was a gap between his reality and the deliverance he longed for. He tried dozens of alcoholics anonymous meetings and was in and out of rehab centers. Nothing worked.
All along he’d been asking God to help him quit, but it wasn’t working. One day he came to the end of himself and cried, “God. I’ve tried everything I know. This isn’t working. I can’t do this. You’re going to have to do it.”
A bit later, after cutting the grass, he opened a beer and took a sip. It tasted horrible. He poured it out and never had another drop to drink the last fifteen years of his life.
Dad modeled for me a very powerful truth. Christ Himself is our life.
Jesus said. “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”[2]
Paul said it this way, “for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”[3]
We were never designed to live life apart from God. Christ was pierced through for our transgressions[4] in order that He might share His life with us. By God’s doing, we’ve been placed in Christ[5] and seated with Him in heavenly places.[6] We’re indwelt by the Holy Spirit.[7]
As children of God, we’re new creations. [8] We’re united with Christ. God’s purpose is to transform us into the image of His Son. [9] But His way is not for us to try harder to improve ourselves. God never intended to make a better version of us. We died and our lives are now hidden in Christ. Christ now is our life. [10]
Anything which causes us to realize we can’t and God can, especially the unthinkable tragedy, has the possibility to draw us deeper into our true Life Source. It comes with humility and utter dependence.
Perhaps in our situations we need to say along my dad, “God. I’ve tried everything I know. This isn’t working. I can’t do this. You’re going to have to do it.”
Thanks Dad. I miss you.
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 NASB)
[1] Matthew 11:28 NASB
[2] John 15:5
[3] Philippians 2:13
[4] Isaiah 53:5
[5] I Corinthians 1:30
[6] Ephesians 2:6
[7] Ephesians 1:13
[8] II Corinthians 5:17
[9] Romans 8:29
[10] Colossians 3:3-4
Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God’s nearness in the midst of life’s adventures. Subscribe below to get email notifications of new posts. We post a few times a month. Thank you for reading.
Novels by the Author:
Much needed message! Right on time
Thanks Tiffany.
Rob, your story about your father’s addiction to and ultimate deliverance from alcohol is moving. Although I have not struggled with substance use or abuse, I cannot self-righteously claim that I have not struggled with other, less-visible addictions. What a wonderful testimony you have…introducing your father to the Gospel of Jesus!
Thank you for sharing this most personal and powerful story.
Blessings!
Thanks so much Jimbo. Me too.
Your story is very similar to mine. My father was a binge alcoholic. He would drink from morning to night for several days – never an entire week. Then he would quit for months at a time. His father and brother died of alcohol poisoning. As a child, I thought it was great when my dad drank because he was so jolly. Later in my life, I realized it was out of some deep pain and depression that he drank. When he got cancer, I begged God to save him. I had only begun following Jesus a few years earlier. To my great joy, one day he asked my mom (whom he had left for another woman) to help him pray to be saved. He only had months left to live, but I got to experience church with him. He stopped drinking in his last months when he began taking an anti-depressants. I believe God was answering the prayers of my family.
Wow. What a great story Beth. We will both see our father’s one day. Thanks for sharing.