alcohol, alcohol, alcohol....I'm gonna get real personal here and spill my thoughts about alcohol. All my thoughts. First, I must briefly share why- the past two and half years I have faced the most adversity ever, in my life. I don't drink. Anything. I grew up in a family, school, church, society where most "good" Christians don't drink any alcohol. It was easy for me to adopt that mindset. Could I have drank in high school? Yeah, if I had sought it out. I was lucky to be surrounded by friends who didn't drink either. Could I have drank in college? Definitely. Even though I went to a Christian college that didn't allow drinking, I had plenty of options. I have never had a single drink. Go ahead, gasp out loud. Or maybe you're not surprised; the perfect little Christian girl would never have a drink. But, I haven't, whatever your thoughts. I'm a pretty stubborn person, and luckily, as a Christian, my stubborness helps me follow rules. I am not plagued by the desire to do things I know I shouldn't. The Holy Spirit has given me a pretty strong conscience. So, in high school there was no way I was drinking. It was against the law. After I was old enough, my college had a rule against it. However, by that time, my conviction had grown from just a "follow the rules"/"adopt my parents' view" stance. While having friends who used to drink and a few who still did, I had to know why I didn't. Number 1, the Bible clearly states that getting drunk is a sin. Ephesians 5:18 "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery." Proverbs 20:1 "Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise." There are numerous other verses. It's quite plain, no one can contest, getting drunk is a sin. So, now you have the question, "what is drunkenness?" At what point do you cross into being drunk? Is there a certain blood alcohol level you can reach before you're drunk? Do you have to be competely wasted? Or just a little tipsy? I don't know. If you feel like you know exactly what God calls drunk, do share with the rest of the world. Until that day, I'm going to do everything within my power to stear clear of that unknown line. That's why I don't drink. Why would I walk the line of sin when it's so easy to stay away? I sin enough in one day already,without willingly adding another. I'm already consumed with negative thoughts, gossip, jealously, pride...why would I get so close to drunkeness when it's so simple- don't drink! No alcohol, no chance of sin! So, do I think that one single glass of wine is a sin? Nope. I do not think that drinking alcohol is a sin, I think the effects of it is. And, since I have no control over its effects on my body, I chose a long time ago to stay away from it. Do I want to drink? Sometimes, yeah; I wish I did. It's "cool," it can be classy, it's "fashionable." It would, socially, be a whole lot easier. The past two years, I have been surrounded with more people than ever before who drink regularly and think ill of me for not. Well, maybe I shouldn't say they think "ill" of me. I think most of it is the fact that they think, I think, they are wrong and sinful. I don't. I think they can follow the Holy Spirit's leading in their life, and I'll continue following Him in mine. It is hard sometimes though. Feeling uncomfortable around certain groups of people because look at me weird just because I don't drink. It's hard when everyone goes out on Friday nights to certain restaurants where they will sit and drink and have fun, and I go home because I wasn't exactly invited. I was halfway invited by the nice people, because they know I don't drink and they feel weird inviting me and weird not inviting me. I don't like alcohol in my house, and that causes lots of conflict and weirdness. Overall, it's just difficult to be in a Christian community, with Christian friends and have different views on alcohol. Will I ever change my views? Will I ever drink? I don't know. I doubt it. I've stuck it out this long, and my conviction hasn't changed at all. It has come in handy a few times while talking with people about God!
So there ya have it. That's what I think about alcohol. There are problems with my state of personal prohibition, but I'm stubborn; I'll stick to it.
We are proud of you! We know how hard it can be when you have friends and colleagues who drink. We think you have made the best choice. It's hard to go against the flow when others are not. Stay the course, keep the faith and run the race as God leads. It will all be worth it by and by.
ReplyDeleteVery well said! I love your honesty and acknowledgement of the fact that it is a personal conviction and different for everyone. The hardest part for me in my life choice not to drink is the fact that other people "think" I am judging them for their choice. I am not. I completely agree that it is not a sin except in the case of drunkeness. I know many Godly people who drink regularly and love and serve our God and are being used by Him. You just keep following what God has called you to do!
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