My friend has has great success with Alcoholics Anonymous.
After he discovered his drinking problem he tried quitting on his own, he tried different therapies and read several books, but it wasn't until he joined AA that he saw his life turn around - it was the education, the discipline, and especially the community that clicked with him, and he was finally able to stay away from drinking like he wanted to do, he staying sober for years, living the good life he wanted to live.
Then COVID hit.
And his AA meetings were canceled or moved online, which was not an ideal substitute.
Slowly, he began drinking again. Not a lot, not enough for anyone to notice, and not enough to make him think he needed to return to AA now that COVID is receding and his group is starting in-person meetings again.
So he called me last week and asked me if he should return.
I told him he should consider three things.
First, does he feel as good as he used to when he was a committed member, or just 75% as good?
Second, does he think that he has licked his problem completely, and there's no chance it will resurface?
And third, because this is an important part of AA, does he feel a need to pay it forward? By his absence, will someone coming to the group, newly struggling with alcoholism, need someone like him to be there for him like the group was for him? Are there others in the community who are struggling with alcohol, and if everyone decided to no longer attend meetings, would the community be better without Alcoholics Anonymous?
This Sunday is Pentecost.
It's recognized as the birthday of the church, at a time when COVID-weary believers are asking questions about returning to their congregations. After all, we've been doing without for more than a year, and we've survived!
So why church?
Churches help us address the broken parts of our lives - like a mirror, they can help us see ourselves and the world more clearly. Thanks to the sacraments, teaching, and fellowship they also help us keep on the straight and narrow - we build strong friendships with people like us, who are committed to following the ways of Jesus.
And churches also help us, help others, with spiritual, physical, even practical needs. Churches become vital parts of their communities that are much less without groups of good people doing good things, that churches tend to be.
Sure, by the grace of God many of us have done okay through COVID, And the temptation to continue living as independently is strong. But let's not forget why God has called us to come together - and what good we can do as a community for others, and for ourselves.
Let's not settle for 75% - for being less hopeful, less encouraging, less forgiving, less patient, less kind, less loving, and less giving than we could be - as individuals, as a community, and as a world.
Pentecost is about making the world a better place - and how you and I help.
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