(A working title)
I know. I meant it to sound that way – shocking, obscure, maybe even a little irreverent. But I’m not actually joking. I really do believe Jesus wants me to drink alcohol.
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I grew up extremely sheltered. I listened exclusively to Christian music – but only the really conservative kind. (No, Amy Grant was not allowed. She sold her soul to the devil when she went “secular.”) I went to Christian School, learned catechisms and had to wear culottes. (cool-lots: a hideous type of skirt/short combo that covered naked knees – so not to cause men to lust.) In this type conservative Christian culture, swearing made you a bad Christian. Consuming alcohol meant you weren’t a true Believer. And premarital sex meant you were going straight to hell.
As soon as I could, I ditched the culottes, turned on some colorful hip-hop, and tried my best to partake in all of the rest of the illicit, naughty behaviors. I guess I just always felt that I had a pre-set reservation on AC/DC’s Highway to Hell. There was no measuring up. So why try? This type of religion required perfection and was utterly unattainable. And BORING. And not just boring, but pointless.
One time I was on an Evangelistic Crusade – a special mission focused week celebrated once a year. We were given tracks (Tracks: poorly made tri-folds with messages of hell and damnation) to distribute in neighborhoods and competed for prizes with who could win the most souls for the Lord. Yes, even us second graders. I so distinctly remember looking at the tract, looking at our outfits and knowing, just KNOWING – no one was going to buy into our message. We looked awful. We looked oppressed and sad and morbid. We weren’t relevant. Or fun. Or HAPPY! Even as a child I knew misery, judgment, and intolerance wouldn’t “sell.” Even as a child, I felt a real call to relate to people (to dress normal, laugh at jokes, and be NICE). I instinctively knew that this type of extreme religion was unappealing. And unreal. And just plain, inhuman.
It wasn’t until later, much later, that I encountered God the Father and began to walk with Jesus, to really know His love and to live in the spirit of His beautiful grace. After years of rebellion and grieving my imperfections, I came to realize something very, very profound and life-changing. Something that is also quite simple.
God calls us to live a life of balance. Moderation. And in so doing, we model so much of His heart and His life to those who stand on the fringes, without hope or faith.
For anyone who has known me longer than three years, you know moderation has not come easy for me. I’ve blurred the lines of appropriateness (and sobriety) on more than one occasion. There are a few main reasons for that, mostly my own sin and rebellious nature. I take full responsibility for my wrong doing. So what I’m about to say isn’t an excuse. It is however, a part-explanation.
I was never, ever modeled moderating. I was only modeled abstinence. No swearing, no denim (as a child born in the 80’s – can you imagine how HARD that was?), no kissing boys, no movie theaters, no swearing and NO ALCOHOL! (not even in cooking).
Instead of the condemning negative responses to all things stylish, cool, or fun – I wish a more moderate approach would have been modeled. After all, it IS possible to maintain morals without the extremes. It IS possible to wear a skirt above your knee and not be mistaken for a prostitute. It IS possible to go to a theater and not watch porn. It IS possible to have a few drinks and not get wasted. It is possible to go to a bar and maintain morality and engage in wonderful, life-giving, Spirit-breathed discussions.
Have I gone too far at times? Yes. In all things, frankly. Food included. (Don’t get me started on Christianity and food addiction) But simply because I CAN abuse alcohol, doesn’t mean I should never partake (and then make a bunch of rules as to why no one else should either). If I eat too much pizza, should I never eat again? Obviously, that’s ridiculous. Behavior isn’t corrected by NOT doing something. It’s curved and shaped by practice, effort, intentionality and grace.
So, here is why God wants me to drink alcohol. Not only is there something pretty relaxing that lends itself to honesty and transparency when a glass of wine is in hand and not only are there proven health benefits from wine and beer particularly but part of engaging people is being IN it with them (“in the world, but not of the world"). To me, being IN it is an actually physical manifestation of presence. Of modeling Jesus. (Jesus: the man who hung out with prostitutes and tax collectors.)
Personally, I have had more spiritually engaging conversations in bars than I’ve had in church. I’ve had tremendous breakthrough in my faith walk over several glasses of wine. (or beer) ((or vodka)) And I have to say, the less I have drank out of rebellion (abstinence), the less I have been drunk. Because life lived out loud in the presence of witnesses, modeling the heart of Christ isn’t about what you DON’T do. It’s about what you DO, when you are doing life.
Moderation – a desperately needed Christian attribute.
3 comments:
'Personally, I have had more spiritually engaging conversations in bars than I’ve had in church.' yes. love this, i have too
Comment from the non-Christian peanut gallery.
Character is all about self-control, which includes moderation. I don't presume to know what G-d wants, but I do know that controlling one's consumption of food, alcohol, whatever, requires a GREAT DEAL of character and concentration. For most of us, this is a personal challenge that we choose to accept or not; we alone have to face the consequences, both physical and spiritual, of failing to do so.
I do want to say, though, that there are some people for whom even an incredible amount of character is not sufficient to break the control that alcohol - and other addictive substances - has on their lives. As you suggest, that does not imply that because of that minority, the rest of us should give up on moderate enjoyment. But it does lead me to understand why simple taboos might just be better for some people.
This is great. I feel like there's something larger here... something about being IN the world. We are embodied, but not OF the body. People ought to go where He takes them. I googled "why god wants me to drink alcohol" and this came up. Perhaps thats reason enough to keep this title: as a lighthouse to searchers like myself.
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