Ian

1 Peter 4:1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin.

As I'm writing this, my family back in Scotland are gathered together for the funeral of my Uncle Ian. He was only seven years older than me and I've got some fond memories of him. He was the first person to take me riding on a motor bike. He played soccer for my Dad's amateur football team. He was an electrician and he did some work in all of our houses. He was a good person and I'm sorry to see him die so young, at 57, which is the same age that my mother was when she died.

Ian suffered from one of the curses of living in the West of Scotland. Alcoholism. It took over his life. He lost his wife and children through it. He couldn't keep a steady job because of it. And, ultimately, it took his life because of the years of alcohol abuse. He was rushed into hospital last week because his organs started to fail, setting up a chain reaction that he didn't recover from. There was nothing anyone could do. There was no way to stop the dying process.

All week, I've been thinking about him and also about myself. If it hadn't been for Christ coming into my life, I probably would have gone down the same road, to the same end. Alcohol took a fierce grip on my life during my teenage years. If Jesus hadn't turned me around and rescued me, I probably would have been in my grave long ago.

As you are reading this, there may be some of you out there who suffer from an addiction, or there may be someone in your family who is an alcoholic, a chain smoker, has an eating disorder, or is a drug addict. Get help now before it's too late. Don't leave it to chance. Don't let it ruin your life or the lives of others. Look to Jesus for the strength to overcome. Look to Him for the healing that you, your loved ones, or your friends need.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, sometimes we waste our lives by giving into addiction, or we live in denial that we have a problem. Help us to look to You for guidance and direction. Show us what to do and protect us from self-abuse. Give us purpose and meaning in our lives, so that we may continue to live by Your grace. In Your Holy name, we pray. Amen.