I wrote a semi-emotionally driven post about people, ego’s, and how the entitlement felt by some to feel compelled to condemn the recovery program’s followed by other’s that are different from their own, seems to run deep these days. Today I want to expand a little on this subject.
Yesterday I re-read the parable of The Wise and Foolish Builders Jesus talked about at the end of the Sermon on the Mount. (Found in the book of Matthew, chapter 7, verses 24:27).
Here’s what it says:
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. (NIV)
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We’re all familiar with the ‘great crash’ and I am also positive we all experienced some version of the storms that life has to offer.
The verses above, for Jesus followers, simply means that it isn’t enough to hear the words and teachings of Jesus, but that basically it is wise to build our lives on upon the essence of who God is. Our lives are built the rock. The God who is all-powerful and unchanging. When storms come our way, when the waters rise, when winds beat against us, we stand sometimes terrified, but still courageous. We might sway, but we won’t slide to the ground. We might fall, but we aren’t going to crash. Our lives are structurally sound and the strength we possess through Him will be revealed by the storms of life.
In a clinical sense, for people in the recovery world, this same idea is supposedly widely accepted and praised. It is a very simple idea: Do what works.
It could be some version of a tailored concoction of online or in-person meetings, out-patient or impatient rehab, prescription medications, patches, meditation, strength training, cardio, reading, writing, cooking, sewing, yoga, continued education, volunteering, painting or other creative en devours.
Ultimately, your cocktail is balanced and selected to best fit your life, your personality, your needs, and your recovery goals.
So, if you are growing, working, striving, thriving, learning, and maintaining your sobriety, and improving your overall mental health and wellness—-
DO THOSE THINGS.
Are these the things that ensure you that you will stay sober, that you continue to grow, that you stay committed to being healthy, that provide you with confidence that your house is a home that will remain standing after a storm?
Yes?
DO THOSE THINGS.
Have you updated your goals according to your progress, your program according to your needs and abilities, your self-care checklist and regimens according to your personal development, and are you still seeing gradual improvement and momentum in whatever you call or consider your ‘program’?
DO THOSE THINGS.
That is all.
Oooh, I really like stories like that! They are so useful painting the picture, and framing in such a simple, yet powerful way. Thank you for sharing.
-Britt
Thank you for the reminder Brittany that Faith without works is dead.
Your post reminded me of a story our principal gave us at the start of the school year last year. A person was walking down the road and a man caryring a huge boulder passed him. When the person asked him what he was doing, the man said, “Making my wage.” Another man carrying a huge stone passed the person and to the same question answered, “Carrying this stone.” A third man carrying stone answered, “Building a Cathedral.”
Knowing your purpose is powerful! Thanks for a great post and good reminder of that.