Where Did You Go?

Jeremiah 2:4-13

One of the stories which shaped who I am today comes from my high school years. In fact it comes from no more than a week before I graduated. It's not a story I'm proud of, but what happened in that moment has stayed with me since that day.

As some of you know (and if you didn't now you will) my life's journey took me through years of dependence on drugs and alcohol. The reasons I began doing drugs had more to do with accepting myself for who I was than wanting to be accepted by a particular group of people. I had good friends, in fact I had great friends who would do anything to protect me and give anything to heal me.

As my drug use increased my school studies and school work decreased. Throw in a severe case of Senioritis and I can honestly tell you that if it wasn't for the grace of a teacher or two I would never have graduated with my class.

One day, as I was standing in the band room joking around and having fun, a junior approached me. He asked if he could talk to me and we walked aside. He looked me in the eye and asked what had happened to me. He wanted to know why I was doing drugs and failing high school.

I had no answer.

I can still see this next moment as clear as it was happening now. As I stood there in silence he quieted his voice and said to me, "I used to look up to you, now I don't know who I can believe in."

It took almost 15 years to understand what he meant with those words. I see how my actions, words, and decisions affect more than just me. I realize how our lives are all connected and when we let ourselves down we can bring down others around us. I had to live through days of self-denial and denial of those around me who cared, as well as in denial of a God who loves me unconditionally, before I understood the power in those words spoken to me that day..

I've since reconciled with my self and those around me. I've since reconciled myself with God through Jesus Christ. Because of this whenever I think of that story instead of self-doubt I think of how I came through and became strong in mind, body, and soul.

What are the words you're waiting for?