I recently had the opportunity to sit in on a men’s addiction recovery group called “Solo por Hoy” or “Just for today”. It’s similar to Alcoholics Anonymous, but with a solid faith component. All of the 12 steps are supported by scripture, and the men know their hope for recovery lies in Christ. This was my short experience.
We sat down on a covered patio at the back of the walled-in property that we live in. It’s two in the afternoon and the heat is sweltering with a bit of humidity as a typical afternoon storm rolls in. One by one about ten men, who are roughly my father’s age, arrive. Some are engineers, some are day to day laborers. You can tell by their eyes they’ve all been through the ringer. Myself and another team leader sat in the circle with the men and just as we were about to start, a translater showed up. He helped to fill in the gaping holes in our Spanish vocabulary and shared with us the mission of Solo por Hoy.
The pastor went through the 12 steps of the mission and then asked us to share a bit of our stories. The other team leader went first; she was much more prepared to share about some of her struggles with the men. The group listened intently. As she finished, the group applauded as according to custom and the group shifted its focus to me.
What am I to share? How could I, a 22 year-old American kid, have anything that would be of use to these men who are facing serious drug and alcohol addictions? Then I remembered a part of my life that I’m not particularly proud of, but I know God has given me for times like these.
I jumped right in and shared how I used to try and find fulfillment in alcohol and relationships. I shared how even after I had devoted my life to Christ, I still made mistakes and ran to those things to fill me up. I realized those things cannot fill a void in my heart. It’s a place where only God is meant to fill. It took me fully trusting God in those areas and amazing friends to show me true fulfillment is found only in Christ. True security, love, and life only dwell with Christ. I shared my heart, and it was received.
The men, one by one, opened up about their addictions, and shared how they didn’t realize their addictions could have such a profound effect on their children. Though this is true, we assured them that we came not to condemn them, but to encourage them to hold the path. To keep seeking after Christ, because He is the one who brings life. He’s the one who bring redemption and restoration.
After hearing these men share their stories, I was reminded of the power of a life story. It was through hearing others pour out their life stories and how they came to know Christ that I experienced God’s love for the first time. I realized that I wasn’t the only broken one in the room when I went to a retreat in the mountains three years ago. It was there that I came to know the Lord for the very first time.
I proclaim these things to you not because I read scripture, but because I’ve experienced it. I’ve seen God turn my life around. I’ve felt his amazing love, and I’ve felt him fill the void I was always trying to fill with things of the world.
Questions for the reader: When was the last time you shared your life story with somebody? Do you think your story has the ability to move people closer to Christ? I do. I believe that everyone’s story can be used, even in strange settings. Go ahead, share it. Let God use your story to his glory, he gave you the story you have for a reason, even if you haven’t recognized it yet.
