Seeing Reality

Years ago, I led a team of college students to South Padre for a ministry called “Beach Reach.” During spring break, we offered rides to students who had been drinking and took care of people who were no longer sober enough to take care of themselves.

One year, we took a young girl who had only been involved with our church for that particular school year.  An upperclassman, she only told us that she had become hungry for Jesus’ work.  At the beach that year, we learned why.

As we walked along the beach, talking to students, she grew very quiet, and I could tell something was bothering her.  We were all bothered as we watched the activity on the beach, but she was even more disturbed.  That night, she told us why.

“Last year, I was on this beach, but I wasn’t sober.  My friends and I started drinking as soon as we got in the car, and we didn’t stop until we ran out of money and left for home.  I had never seen this beach through sober eyes. It’s nothing like I remember it.  It feels like I’m seeing it for the first time, and I am overwhelmed to see what I did without any limit.  I can’t even remember everything that happened.  Now I’m frightened, because I am seeing what is real.”

One of the questions I have received was this:  Why are some of the hardest battles in life fought by those who believe in and follow Jesus?  I believe that sin “intoxicates” us to life.  But when you embrace Jesus, you see what life was meant to be and the full reality of how we fall short.  When you start to do something about that, you find the resistance of everyone who CAN’T see it.  But just as you can see the reality now, you can also see the future that is to come.  You know that God will not be mocked.  You know that He has prepared a reward of His grace for you.  You live soberly, alive to the reality around you and the reality of God’s promise, and you see the world through Jesus’ eyes.  Frankly, that hurts.

My dad asked me a question when I was grieving so many of my peers, “Son, would you rather see reality or be part of an illusion that feels good?”  I decided then and continue to fulfill that decision: I will see reality.  I accept the pain now as part of the joy later.