Author: Wick

Back in November of 2007, I signed up to be an active citizen by serving my city on any committee they felt needed someone with my limited qualifications. They ended up assigning me to the “Decatur Parking and Traffic Commission“. It’s been a wild ride, let me assure you.

Actually, no. Not too much excitement, but I suppose that’s okay. I still feel like I’m doing something good here. People apply for handicap parking spaces near their homes, and we’re able to oblige. Neighborhoods apply for no parking zones in places of high or dangerous traffic, and we’re able to help out. Overall, we’re looking at the public parking situation in the downtown area, trying to figure out how to stop losing the city so much money. Etc.

And finally, something near my own home has come before the commission. Here’s a sample of the information we go through before making a decision:You’ll notice, it lists the number of cars going a certain direction on each road. It also lists the average speed per car. In this picture, the bottom stop sign currently exists, and the top stop sign is being proposed. I voted to approve of the stop sign, for the safety of those turning left onto Grand, and those turning left off of Grand. Most of us pretty much stop there anyway, just to be safe. Unfortunately, I just received note yesterday that instead – they’ve decided to put a “oncoming traffic does not stop” sign somewhere out there. Although I’m not sure what that will do. We’ll watch and see, I suppose.

I don’t like the taste of alcohol. Any kind, that I know of. I haven’t tried ’em all, and don’t intend to. But throughout my college and young adult life, especially my days in sales, I had close encounters with many who who enjoy the stuff, and have sampled a few myself. All of ’em tasted gross to me, even times where I really really tried to tell myself something tasted kinda good. I’d much rather grab a 20 oz. of Vault, or even a ice cold green tea.

That is to say, this is not a topic I struggle with much personally.

I do not believe the Scriptures point us towards an understanding of alcohol as “sinful” or “evil”, although it definitely can lead to sin, and be involved in it. There are warnings about how to approach it/respect it/not to abuse it, etc. For some interesting fodder on the history of Christianity and alcohol, click here.

Many young Christians today, both within and outside of Holiness denominations, are taking the stance of moderation. I think it’s a legitimate view, and even shared it for a long time…although it’s easy to share any stance when you don’t even like the stuff.

As a member of a denomination, and again currently as I move towards ordination, I’ve made certain commitments that I believe can be helpful (albeit not required) to a lifestyle of following Christ. One of those more recent commitments, is to advocate abstaining from all alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.

This is a personal decision and commitment, that to me came down to several obvious things. Do I enjoy it? Nope. Why do it then? To celebrate? Why does that method automatically = celebration, when you’d much rather do/eat/experience something you enjoy?

The only answer I could get was…well….other people/the world says this is how you enjoy/celebrate something. Not a good enough answer really.

The other side was a question asked by Donald Bastian, in his (looks really cheesy/tract-ish, but actually good material) book “Beer, Wine & Spirits: What’s the Big Deal?“. The question was, “What support do we owe believers (current and upcoming) who have (or will) battled alcohol and are seeking (or will seek) the life of sobriety?”

Abstaining, in that case, seems like a relatively simple denial of self, for the other.

Did Jesus and many other ancient believers enjoy beer and wine once in a while, in celebration of God’s creation? Probably. Will we have beer and wine in the new creation? Most likely. Hopefully it’ll taste better.

Until then, I’m choosing to abstain out of love for others, commitment to lead in a denomination that sets this choice as a goal to it’s members, and also in large part because I think it’s just gross.

And if you drink, you’re probably thinking, “well shoot, that’s cause he’s just never tried _______” Truth is, I probably have. If not…guess I can wait until we’ve gotten past our fallen-ness to give it a go. 🙂