It is one thing to do well in a highly structured environment with a new language. It is another thing to carry this change into a full life. It is a wonderful thing to go to the altar, quite another to remain aware of the altar in your heart throughout your everyday life. Giving oneself to Jesus is a miraculous experience, living free as a child of the King is a process of learning. There are a lot of pitfalls on the way.
Addiction is a patient and cunning adversary and is willing to wait for any mistake.
Constant alertness and determination in cooperation with the Holy Spirit are necessary for meaningful recovery. Ministry to those who are addicted is a ministry of sowing. Reaping will be done, but it will usually be done by others down the line in the process. This is not a feel good story, but it is an honest story of ministry among addicts. Joseph B. Kelly is pastor of Friends of the Light, Indiana Yearly Meeting, Traverse City, Michigan .