Coming Clean – Antje Hill
Though you won’t find “self-proclaimed” attached to addicts of alcohol, gambling, tobacco or porn, there are many addictions we humans confess, such as sweets addicts, phone addicts, exercise addicts and the list goes on. These self-proclaimed addicts laugh about their habit and know they should do something about it, but don’t.
I must admit that I have been an addict. It wasn’t something I could laugh about, and there are no recovery classes for some addictions. In fact, most don’t confess this addiction until they have found the solution. That’s what happened to me. When you’re addicted to ‘self,' it’s no laughing matter, and you’re never happy. Our enemy dangles ‘self’ before our eyes and makes us think we have our rights! But putting self first is never-ending and does not satisfy. So what’s the solution? Would you believe God is always a step ahead of us? He places within each of us an insatiable spot that only He satisfies. When we yield to Him, we understand Jesus’s words in John 10:10; “I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.” (HCSB)
It’s not true that the church is the answer, I was raised in the church. Charitable deeds and living a good moral life, though good, is not the answer. Jesus Christ and He alone is the answer. His love in us grows our love for our husband/wife, for our church and fellowman, for good deeds and a life well lived.
Though there are still times when I have to make a conscious decision to keep Christ first, self has truly lost its flavor. You know the real thing when you have it!
Antje is a columnist for Parents & Kids Magazine. She and her husband, Richard, spend time between Mississippi and Michigan. Contact |
