This evening was spent in the company of men and women at my church having fellowship and sharing life. This is not any ordinary fellowship time at church. The program is called "Celebrate Recovery." It is a Christ centered 12 step program based upon 8 principles from the Bible. This is not just recovery from addictions or habits, but recovery of our love, faith and relationship with God. It does not matter what reason you are there, but simply there because you want to come closer to God. An understanding that because of hurts, habits or hung ups in our lives we keep ourselves from doing so. We all have our burdens to carry, we can all be our own worst enemy.
Christ has by His sacrifice given us healing from them, by simply bringing them to the cross and leaving them at His feet in faith. So, this is a faith based ministry! Yet, no one is turned away, even if you are not sure of God, the love shared there is Christ like, and we all are sinners in need of Gods love. No, it does not matter if you are there for a drug addiction, alcohol, porn, anger problems, control issues, codependency, abandonment issues, or lonesome in need of a connection. It is for anyone who has something in their life that comes between them and God. I have been in this church now for 10 years. Celebrate Recovery is now two years old in our ministry and growing.
As I sit tonight laughing and sharing a meal, with my fellow brothers and sisters. I was overwhelmed once again with the richness of my life, despite the pain sprinkled through out. I may not now or ever have to much money or wealth to speak of. That is not why I now pursue the education I now seek, I would work for free to share one moment of this happiness with another. No, I am truly rich beyond anything I could have ever imagined. Blessings to all!
