In the beginning, I have to say, that there was a time I felt like God had abandoned me. So I decided to do things my own way and I ended up hopelessly addicted to any and all outside influences. I put my wants ahead of everything else in my life: my wife, my children, job and responsibilities. HOPELESS!!  Little did I know that God was leading me back to Him.

 

I found recovery and in that process, Hope, unconditional love, and God. So, today I work alongside other addicts who have lost hope. I share with them the hope and love I have found; that there is recovery. In the program that I participate in, we complete exercises called, “working the steps.” Often addicts pour out their hearts to me, confessing their shortcomings. Part of recovery is helping them to see their participation in their resentments. It is powerful to see addicts going from feeling abandoned, used, and hurt, to feeling loved and worthy.

 

I feel thankful to God for allowing me to be in such an intimate relationship with others. They trust me with their deepest, darkest secrets. I am able to help them realize that God loves them unconditionally.  This is the verse that I call on often:

 

 

I feel this is my cross: to help other addicts with my own story and belief, to lead them back to Jesus. In January we began exploring the idea of an alternative service at Servants of Christ, directed toward those struggling with addiction in the hope of bringing people to the cross. It is in the planning stages. Basically this will be a service utilizing Evening Prayer. This service will be open to people seeking spirituality, but not ready to come to our normal Sunday services. In what brokenness has God healed you? This may answer the question of the ministry you are called to do.

 

 

 

Mike Bey