As part of the Alpha course that I joined today in the parish, we were watching a video by Nicky Gumbel. Therein he mentions about drugs and alcohol not being the problem, but the solution - at least for those addicted. The real problem being reality.
That set me thinking for the rest of the talk and the evening. Certainly for those addicted, drugs and alcohol are not the problem but the solution. But for the rest of us, looking objectively at those addicted and the drugs and alcohol, that's a problem! The real problem is reality. In order to face this reality, those addicted use drugs and alcohol and they see it as a solution. I was wondering if, as per the intention of this prayer/discussion, we the "faithful" see belief in Jesus as the solution. Someone looking at us believing in God/Jesus, sees this as a problem not a solution. Just replace drugs/alcohol with Jesus or religion. From the perspective of an "outsider" it is all the same.
As a believer, it will do me no good to merely harp on Jesus or religion as the solution because the 'outsider' will only hear that as the rant of an 'addict'. Perhaps what will influence his attitude is if he sees that this 'addiction' is actually helpful not just for me but for everyone who comes in contact with me, and that too in a holistic manner.
That set me thinking for the rest of the talk and the evening. Certainly for those addicted, drugs and alcohol are not the problem but the solution. But for the rest of us, looking objectively at those addicted and the drugs and alcohol, that's a problem! The real problem is reality. In order to face this reality, those addicted use drugs and alcohol and they see it as a solution. I was wondering if, as per the intention of this prayer/discussion, we the "faithful" see belief in Jesus as the solution. Someone looking at us believing in God/Jesus, sees this as a problem not a solution. Just replace drugs/alcohol with Jesus or religion. From the perspective of an "outsider" it is all the same.
As a believer, it will do me no good to merely harp on Jesus or religion as the solution because the 'outsider' will only hear that as the rant of an 'addict'. Perhaps what will influence his attitude is if he sees that this 'addiction' is actually helpful not just for me but for everyone who comes in contact with me, and that too in a holistic manner.
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