ALCOHOL - "No thanks."

I was raised by Hazel Haire.  She was a member of the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU).  She was also one of the last members of the 'Prohibition' political party.  She was as strongly against the use of alcohol as anyone I have ever known.  I never asked her why she took this strong stand.  Had she seen the negative impact of alcohol in the life of someone she knew?  I'll probably never know for sure.  

My father was less vocal about alcohol, but he clearly saw no place for it in his life!  His story I do know.  His father had been known as the town drunk.  He reportedly squandered his money on alcohol, forcing my grandmother to take in other people's laundry to put food on the table for her five daughters and one son.  I've spoken before of how my Dad drove a stake in the ground and said:  "The negative impact of alcohol in this family STOPS HERE!"   [For a humorous story, read "Egg Nog" 12/28/11]

When I was about thirteen, a PK (not Promise Keeper, Preacher's Kid) friend took me up on the ball field at the Tri-State Campground and gave me my first beer.  It had been laying in the sun for hours and tasted horrible!  I took one sip and poured it out on the ground.  As I look back, I'm grateful that it was summer - if it had been winter, it might've changed my course...

I've never had a desire to drink alcohol or use drugs.  The few times I tasted alcohol, it tasted like cough medicine to me.  No thanks!  [One notable exception:  the night I drank three screwdrivers.  What can I say:  I love orange juice!  That night, Debbie declared that if I was a drinker, I'd be a 'happy drunk'.)

As a pastor in the Free Methodist Church, I've agreed to not use alcohol.  That commitment was important to me, and I've honored it.  

But, I've seen the damage of alcohol!  It (along with drugs) captured one of my children and led to a seven-year struggle to regain balance and sobriety.  Alcohol may have been a contributing factor in the death of someone I dearly loved.  I've had scores of parishoners who were caught in its grip;  I've tried to be a resource to them to reorder their lives.  Debbie and I have twice opened our home to individuals who were struggling to break away from substance abuse issues.  

I scratch my head when I see the changes that are taking place in the Christian community as I experience it.  Several decades ago, the position I hold was not unique.  Those who named Christ as Lord almost universally stood against the use of alcohol.  But, as Dillon recorded, "the times they are a-changing'".  

Somewhere along the line, social drinking seems to have become acceptable.  

I acknowledge that this has always been a complicated discussion.  After all, Jesus created some great wine at the wedding of Cana!  Certain nationalities have for centuries included wine as an escort to their mealtime.  Science has declared the benefits of moderate use of certain forms of alcohol.  Red wine is purported to raise the level of HDL's in our blood (for a brief period, I drank four ounces of red wine every evening for this purpose, before going to bed.  I held my nose and gulped it down.  On a visit home, Travis found my bottle hidden in my study and carried it out announcing to everyone:  "Hey, Dad's been hiding hooch!")  Even the Bible reports that a little wine is good for the stomach  (I Timothy 5:23).  

I have no interest in returning to a legalistic day when all alcohol drinkers are declared "going to Hell".  

To the contrary, I recognize that sin has many forms that are far more subtle and damaging than drinking alcohol.  

The teaching I received was simple:  "If one drink can lead to alcoholism - then don't take that one drink!"  It made sense to me.  But that logic seems to have been set aside by many today.  

Those who compromise on this position may unintentionally send a message to their offspring that drinking is ok - or even good.  However, will their children have the wisdom of restraint?  Will they be able to avoid the strong addictive pull?  the ability to temporarily escape from life's stresses?  

I was in a situation recently, where the parents were lightly drinking, while in another room their children (some under the legal age) were taking it to a different level.  It troubled me...

It seems to me that the core teaching from scripture here would be based on two primary points:

1. As a follower of Christ, my body is a temple of the Holy Spirit!  (I Corinthians 6:19)     
2. As a follower of Christ, I am to honor Him above all!  (I Corinthians 10:31)  

These principles guide all of us in the ways we choose to live our lives.  I'll admit, my Mom was a bit overboard when it came to alcohol.  She wouldn't even drink from certain kinds of glasses because she thought it might be misconstrued by others.  But you have to appreciate her dedication...

So, how do we present Christ to our world?  What messages do we communicate?  This, I hope you see, is pervasive.  We've moved way beyond the topic of alcohol now.  

But as a committed follower of Christ, doesn't it make sense that I would scrutinize my life to try to bring it into conformity with His life and purpose?  I'd be thrilled if I could, by this article, get a few people to think more seriously about their "followership".  Part of the benefit I get from writing this blog is that it causes ME to think more seriously about MY "followership"!