Psalm 30 (The Message)
A Psalm of David
11-12You did it: you changed wild lament
into whirling dance;
You ripped off my black mourning band
and decked me with wildflowers.
I’m about to burst with song;
I can’t keep quiet about you.
God, my God,
I can’t thank you enough.
This verse is a fitting way to follow up from the transformation discussion of Psalm 29. The psalmist here acknowledges the changes in his life. What was once dark has been replaced with joy and beauty. What was painful in the past, hurts no more. No doubt this is similar to the joy and relief of several of the breakthroughs and milestones we experience during the recovery from addiction.
Some of these breakthroughs are small, and maybe noticeable only to the addict, while other are more significant and life changing. Whether it's the presence of sobriety, which could only be measured in minutes or hours, is now measured in days and months. Or the absence of a spaghetti mess of lies and cover-ups. All of these breakthroughs in recovery are miracles regardless of magnitude. For an addict that has tried so many times and failed. Tried without the 12 steps, tried without an Addicts Anonymous group, and most of all tried without God, and failed. For an addict that has tried on their own and failed so many times before these breakthroughs are miracles. Yes, we are allowed to acknowledge these breakthroughs are miracles. We are allowed to be grateful for these miracles. I would even go so far as to say that we are encouraged to celebrate these miracles.
Dear Lord, you have brought so many miracles into my life. Although I am still a work in progress, in many ways I am a different person than when I started this journey several years ago. It is nothing short of a miracle. My life is not devoid of pain, but You have equipped me to better handle burdens and suffering. As a result I feel more joy and my relationships are more rich. For all this I am beyond grateful, thank you. The experience of transformation that you have brought into my life in the past has me excited by transformation that lies ahead. Especially, as I begin this Lenten season of cleansing, sacrifice, and transformation. With all this excitement I celebrate. In this celebration though I also pray for the addicts that still suffer. I pray that my celebration may bear witness to those addicts that still suffer to Thy power, Thy love & Thy way of life. That I may be a beggar showing them where to get bread. That my celebration would be a light to them that guides them and gives them hope for the recovery that awaits them. All this I pray in Jesus' name - Amen.
Thanks for letting me share.
