Trying to stay connected and maintain a close and healthy relationship with anyone is impossible in active addiction. Only our substance of choice had our full attention. In recovery, God invites us to choose for the plan He has for us to live in a loving relationship with Him and with others. Jesus prayed about this long ago, echoing what God's heart was for all of us from the beginning of creation:
I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. (John 17:21 NLT)
Staying connected means coming close to another person and allowing ourselves to become involved in their lives. We do not hide. We joyfully communicate our thoughts and feelings to someone with whom we feel accepted and safe and find ways to get to know that person. We want to be known and to share our lives with others.
And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. (John 17:3 NLT)
Jesus left heaven to come to earth so we would know the depth of God’s love for us. As we read God’s Word as recorded in the Bible, we will get to know God’s gracious heart towards us and learn His ways for a good life when we obey what He says works and avoid what He says will harm us.
I can do nothing alone. I judge only the way I am told. And my judgment is right, because I am not trying to please myself. I want only to please the one who sent me. (John 5:30 ERV)
Are we willing to live connected to God today? What would it take for us to only do those things that were on God’s heart for us to do? The truth is, we have no life outside of this connection to God through Jesus. This step-by-step, moment-by-moment, connection with God is the only way we will overcome our addiction and maintain sobriety.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Please heal my heart and help me to respond to Your kind invitation to live close to You each day and follow Your ways in all I say and do. Amen
Audio for STAYING CONNECTED
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