"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13
They have done this all before. They did not want to be in another drug rehab program. But the only logical place for someone with an emotional or physically dependent need was a rehab program. So they went.
In rehab people are reminded of their condition daily. They sit in group meetings and discuss their past; who they used with, why they used, what they felt like, how they feel now...the meaningless questions continued. What conclusions do these clients draw from such meetings? It becomes apparent that they see themselves more clearly as addicts, failures or people chained to problems that follow them everywhere.
Next, in meetings with counselors they review the same answers to the same questions. Some clients convince themselves that their old identity and behavior can never be changed. As their program end date nears they are pushed to give up their old habits and ways. New decisions and new lives await them after their time in rehab Pushing the client for change leaves the addict without a a decision of his own. Again he learns to do what others tell him to do, those who push him to quit. The addict has made no changes or choices since entering the rehab. His life has not been significantly altered by his learned, actions or choices.
The needy person and the addict do not understand their basic needs. How can he quit his addiction or raise himself from such desperate circumstances when the cause of his problems remain unclear and reinforced by his environment? A new approach is needed to address his problems. His problem is not merely bad choices - the addict makes choices well - he chooses to use. The problem is not accessibility or isolation - he can get others to bring him what he wants. The problem lies deeper, within the heart of the addict.
The problem is his thinking that the material world can overcome the problems within. Drugs, sex, alcohol will never fill spiritual voids. He chooses to use in order that a spiritual need is met. People do not recognize, know, believe or understand the truly spiritual component to their lives. The cracks in our human armor are permanent until fixed by God alone. We cannot fill the cracks with more of the same destructive actions.
The client's need is for the spiritual filling only God can provide. The cracks in his human framework must be cemented over with the love and forgiveness of God. God alone will not fade. God will not begin the filling process and then suddenly stop. He will not cloud our minds or judgment in order to confuse or trick us. He does not distract us so that we do not fulfill our responsibilities and commitments to family or friends. God effectively empowers people for lives of service to others once their own lives are recreated. God is permanent, strong, effective and compatible with our body, mind and spirit.
Drugs, materialism wealth or physical attractions are not permanent, they lack lasting strength. They do not fill the void that lies deep within every individual's being. Love in action at the Rescue Mission is providing the only effective tool in recreating lives and bringing permanent recovery to our people.
