Wine and the Fallen

Sorry for the typos. I didn't have a built in editor.

As I walk the streets of my city I look at those whom are consumed with liquer and booze. Who seems so happy, until you recognize that to get that happy they have to distort their perception of reality and become their "true" selves. They must block out their self control, their barriers to pain or all sorts, to become what is inside. The problem is that within the heart there is great darkness and though it can seem simple how many have fallen because of it. Everyone has a story of shame that has drunk the intoxicated beverage long enough. Flirting with indiscriminate people, fighting, cheating on their spouces, strait guys doing things with other guys that I won't describe. Hurtful words to outright violence. I could tell many stories but I'm guessing most if not all readers will know stories. What is in a man's or woman's heart is revealed and cannot be taken back. It's almost as if drunkenness is the devil's plaything. I have yet to hear of someone having good fruit for God of any kind from it. If anything emotions are manipulated so that people are more prone to do stupid things and the flesh nature is amplified. It not only increases sin but it decreases God to work in their lives during it. It is well advised amongst most ministers that you don't minister in most ways to people while they are drunk because unless they sober up during the process because even when they are aware of their sin once the drunkenness ends they find that no difference has been made. I'm not saying praying for someone that is drunk is pointless, I'm just saying that unless God is directly working on their hearts they very well might be simply being emotional. By all means be there for them so that when they sober up they will recognize God's love. This is not even covering the after effects of hangovers, depression, and whatever else might occur as a direct physical result of it. I know of nothing that has had such a dramatically negative effect on people's lives than drunkenness.

This is why I am so happy that I have something greater than alcohol. I have joy beyond compare. The presense of God is more powerful than any other substance and their is no need to distort reality. If anything it means one sees and experiences reality more so than ever before. In God's presense there is freedom. It not only feels better but can last longer as we get more of Him and learn to abide in Him. The more alcohol you consume the more you need to get drunk. The more of God you get the longer He remains. The only after effect of the presense is the lack of the presense. It is a let down but it is analigous to the let down after being in love. Its annoying but for the most part you just return to the previous normal. I personally have not had issues with drunkenness but those that I know that have and then experienced God for real agree that God's presense is so much better. No experience on earth is truly comparable.

I say this not to say I am better for I am not. I dealt with depression long enough to know that being able to escape reality would have been nice. I have had my share of pain. I simply chose not to but had someone offered at the right time I likley would have and who knows what would have happened then. It is by God's grace I was not a drunk. I have a family history of both alcoholism and depression and have had a fair share of addictions. The truth is that I walked amongst them not to judge them but in hopes of finding opportunities to bring them true joy. As of late my heart for the lost has been growing. My impending departure and the knowledge that there is no real outreach to the pubs makes me very sad. I mourn for the loss of those there. Apparently this place is the suicide capital of Austalia. Its no wonder, so many come here to make money but end up being lonely and wasting all that they have gained on beer and prostitutes.

I have come to a conclusion that I find it hard to believe any person with a relationship with God has no desire to at least have a desire to bring the lost to God. Either they are sefish or lack love or both. It was the great command, the drive of the early church, the main prayer of every revival (except maybe the generic wanting more of God) and the heart of God since creation. The natural destination of man is hell. People focus on how God seems to be punishing us when instead we are punishing God. Man turned on God and man continues to go away from God. The Father in the Prodigal Son is the perfect example. The son left the father and even when his heart was surely broken he waited for the son. Other than the ceremonial regulations there are reasons for the commands of God. God was creator and as such knows the best way to function. All instruction are to keep the origonal purpose. For example, sex. What's the purpose of sex? Procreation. Why are their families? Besides the marriage couple itself it is to raise the children in the best possible environment. All rules that have to do with sex follow these rules and anything that doesn't is not the way God intended. If you do not believe me do a study on families in the scripture, most notably Genesis 1 and the first command, "Be fruitful and multiply." There are certain laws that don't apply now but the principals behind them still do.

God's presence is the greatest feeling ever and the best way to get more is by spreading God's love to those that don't have it. If you don't have God's love or presence I would suggest you spread God's love to yourself first.