What a relief this ‘new high’ brings…the illuminated path that heads in one direction….towards the feet of the cross. Having lived a vicarious lifestyle of wine, woman/man, and song, to get to and maintain this new high will require ‘endurance’ and hard work. With a fleeting reflection of the past journey to get to this point, we can now bask in this ‘new high’ guiding us into our destiny of eternity.

At one point in our lives as we chased after what the world offered, it appeared that the misery will never end. Like shifting sand, we kept undulating our focus to mask the pain. But boy, life on this side of the path of a ‘new life’ is awesome….breathtaking!. And we ask ourselves what took us this long to get to this point in our lives? Only when we finally discovered that the numerous failed attempts at sobriety were valuable gifts wrapped in adversity. Had it not been for our pain, our trials, our tribulations, our hurts, our hang-ups, we would still have been living in the hallways and alleys of dark desperation. The chase after that first temporary relief which we will never find is finally over! The lights came on and we discovered that we were living a voidless life in darkness; never to go back even if we wanted to, because now we know the truth…and we are finally free. We are no longer snared, bound, chained, or tied up in the marketplace of adversity as live crabs on display for sale.

The Apostle Paul says it best in 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” Now that we have discovered that ‘endurance’ despite our circumstances is the key to keep the lights on forever in our lives, we are ready to hit the ground running. A life of no more chasing, no more couch-surfing, a life of basking in the fresh daily manna from above, a life of peace and joy, a life well worth living. In Ephesians 4: 1-2 Paul describes it this way, “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

So as we bask in this ‘new high’ let us never forget where we came from i.e. from darkness into His marvellous light as quoted in 1 Peter 2:9, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God’s] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

Enjoy your new found freedom remembering the times past. Hebrews 12:1-2 states, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

What a refreshing ‘new high’. Seeking endurance? Walk by faith and not by sight. You think about it!

Good morning!

Remember, ‘nothing changes if nothing changes’ and’ the same person will always use’.

Have a Blessed day in the Lord. You deserve it!

From the desk of Andy Ansola