In our journey of recovery, we come to understand that our lives and relationships are not our own—they belong to God. During our time in addiction, we often pursued selfish desires at the expense of others, leaving behind broken relationships and deep wounds. Now, as we walk the path of recovery, we are encouraged to rebuild connections within our recovery community and strive to restore those with our immediate family. Yet, one of the hardest truths to accept is that not all relationships, especially broken marriages, can be restored as we might hope.
Our Need: We were not designed to live in isolation, yet that’s precisely what addiction often led us to do. In the depths of our compulsive behaviors, we pushed others away, believing we could manage on our own. However, the truth is that we were never wired to live independently of others. God created us for relationships, to be in fellowship with Him and with others. These relationships are not just a nice addition to life; they are a critical part of God’s plan for our healing and growth. In recovery, we begin to see that these connections—whether within our recovery family or with those we’ve hurt—are irreplaceable tools in God’s redemptive hands. They remind us that we are not alone and that we need others to walk with us on this journey of healing and restoration. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer aptly said, “The church is not a religious community of worshipers of Christ but is Christ Himself who has taken form among people.”
Our Identity: As we start to rebuild our lives, it’s vital to redefine our understanding of who we are. When we were trapped in addiction, our identity was often rooted in the destructive habits and selfish behaviors we clung to. But in recovery, we are called to put on a new identity—one that reflects Christ. Colossians 3:12-14 challenges us to embrace traits like compassion, kindness, humility, and patience. These are not just admirable qualities; they are markers of our new identity in Christ. We are called to be ambassadors of the Savior King, making His presence known in our relationships and interactions. As ambassadors, our role is simple but profound: to represent Christ in every aspect of our lives. This means showing His love, grace, and forgiveness in how we treat others, especially as we work to rebuild the relationships that were damaged by our past actions. The shift in identity from an addict to a child of God is a critical element of lasting recovery, reminding us that our worth is found in Christ, not in our past mistakes.
Our Calling: Our calling in recovery goes beyond simply restoring what was lost; it’s about aligning our lives with God’s purpose. Each day, we are invited to ask, "What does God want to accomplish through my relationships today?" This calling isn’t easy, especially when it involves accepting that some relationships, such as a marriage, may not be restored as we desire. But even in these difficult moments, God’s purpose remains. He calls us to submit to His will, trusting that He is working for good in all things, even when the outcome isn’t what we envisioned. Our calling is to live as representatives of Christ, to make the invisible presence of God visible through our actions, words, and how we engage with others.
As we move forward, we rely on the 5 C’s of recovery as a foundation: morning prayer, Bible reading and recovery reading, contacts/phone calls, group meetings, and evening prayer. These practices help us stay grounded in our faith, connected to our community, and aligned with God's purpose for our lives and relationships. Whether the outcome is what we hoped for or not, our mission remains the same: to represent Christ well in every relationship we are given, trusting that God’s plan is greater than our own. Through our need for connection, our new identity in Christ, and our calling to serve His purposes, we find the strength and direction to move forward, even in the face of the most challenging truths.
As C.S. Lewis once said, "God allows us to experience the low points of life in order to teach us lessons that we could learn in no other way." Recovery is one such journey, where we learn the profound truths of dependence on God, the restoration of our identity in Christ, and the calling to live out His purposes daily.
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