It's been unforgivably long time since my last post, and actually I still have a half post in the draft -folder, but this short (?) post is triggered by the fact that I'll be out from country for a month, thus wouldn't be able to blog for a while.
Recently the work has been too busy. For some years I've been busy during weekends and then could go to work to take a rest (figuratively), but now I haven't been able to rest at work... This is no excuse, maybe I have too much going on?
Talking about addictions, I really think everyone is addicted to something. At least the life style one has, the regularity of everyday life, is very addictive. We are just not used to use this word to describe it, rather words like "routine" or "schedule". These are somethings we seldom notice, but only after years of similarity we wake up at some moment and look back, holding our breath, and amazed at the "routines" or life patterns we've had. These are not necessarily evil or bad, just that we tend to miss the moments and just go on with life. That would be sad.
There are of course other kind of addictions that are really called addictions. I've been playing facebook poker fo some weeks now, sometimes more, sometimes less. It's a harmless, well, seeminly harmless way to explore my own addictive nature. And yes, I have an addictive nature. In my life I've been addicted few times: some computer games, some sports, but thank God I've stayed sober in most areas of my life. It's not because I'm good, but just that I've been "lucky", or in this case enjoyed God's grace.
Anyhow, with poker it is really interesting to notice the thoughts going through my head when playing a hand, with good hand and with not-so-good hand. When losing, the tendency to want to get it back. When winning, the tendency to want more. When nothing happening, the tendency to go all-in. This helps me to understand those who are addicted, but I really learned that it's easy to go cracy at the poker table! Despite the reasoning, despite the help of other people, once I "sit" at the table, the adrenaline of gambling rises to its heights. Without a big win it's impossible to leave the table satisfied, and this kind of addiction is the reason for broken families and broken lives...
Personally I'm an easy-to-get-addicted type, maybe all men are? That's not an excuse. However, because I have a lot of things to do, I have friends and people around me, I'm not allowed to just stay home and play games/poker. In addition, the most important is, I know what is right and wrong, with absolute standards. This knowledge helps me eventually to overcome the addictions, and going "cold-turkey" doesn't even feel that bad.
All in all, addictions are serious stuff, easy to get and hard to give up. Fortunately Jesus himself faced addictions of religious people, sinful people, constant wrongs of sinful nation, and still prevailed. Jesus is forgiving, helping, calling, and embracing every human being who wants to come to Him. It's an astonishing truth that changes lives, changed mine, and can change yours.
First step is to come to the truth, and Jesus is the truth. Then I could go on to explain whole story of repentance, forgiveness, renewal and sanctification, but I'm running out of time here. :) The bottom line is, addictions of life easily ground us to the muddy earth and block the view of heaven. One can be happy only when gazing upon the countenance of the true God, sitting in His lap and twiddling at His court. This is what we are called to, eagles rising above the earthlies and soaring on the winds of Love. Never become a chicken in life, but spread the wings like an eagle! (Pertti's sermon few week's back) Those who wait upon the Lord.
Yeah, off to China now, soaring with Finnair this time. :) God is good, always. And where the Spirit of God is, there is heaven present. I wish to remember this and live according to this truth. I wish same to you my reader. God speed.