Epicenter: Ephesus (Exchanging Addiction for Hope) — Thursday
Ephesians 5:18
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit (NIV)
Before entering full-time vocational ministry a couple years ago, I spent the previous five years working in local government. I spent eight hours a day pushing papers around my windowless office and staring into oversized computer monitors. When I felt like I wasn’t getting enough attention I would make the occasional lap around the office and interrupt people who were doing much more important work than me (something I still do today). From every person I encountered I demanded salutations and small-talk until I could land a deep, thought-provoking conversation. The best conversations I would have were always with Ms. Sonya - the African-American custodian old enough to be my mother.
While our backgrounds could not be more different, Ms. Sonya and I could talk for hours, and we did. We were both connected by our faith and bonded over how the Holy Spirit has led both of us to victory over similar struggles. Ms. Sonya understood and lived out grace and truth. At Southland you’ll often hear us say “Grace + Truth = Love”. I believe there are no better people that understand how to balance grace and truth than the people who live in sobriety and recovery. These folks have had to face hard truths and learn how to have grace for themselves while seeking it from others. Their ability to go the distance with difficult people in difficult circumstances is incredible!
Two weeks ago I witnessed the culmination of “grace plus truth” play out in one of the most incredible events that Southland hosts. For the second time this year Southland hosted a convocation for Addiction Recovery Care (ARC) which helps people all over Kentucky end their battle with addiction and discover their God-given destiny. An amazing team of staff and volunteers joined in praise with all the angels and the saints in heaven as 134 people in recovery were baptized in a single hour. That’s in addition to the 121 people baptized at the convocation Southland hosted in February this year. These 255 people have followed Paul’s instructions in Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV): “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
Thursday’s Reflection
What do you have an appetite for? Do you desire “everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life”? (1 John 2:16) Or, do you crave true satisfaction in Jesus who “declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’”? (John 6:35)