Addiction and Worship

As Bob Dylan so aptly stated, "You Gotta Serve Somebody". For most of us that "somebody" is ourselves. Addiction has been defined as "a state of compulsion and obsession, focusing on one element that will supposedly satisfy." All human beings are born with a God-shaped hole in their souls and most of us spend our lives trying our best to fill this hole with "something that satisfies", be it money, power over others, a beautiful body, prestigious job,.....drugs, alcohol, sex. In Sharon A. Hersh wonderful book, "The Last Addiction" she states: "The definition (of addiction) is incomplete, however, because it leaves out the heart of addiction. Addiction goes deeper than obsession and compulsion. It is worship. It is giving my heart and soul over to something that I believe will ease my pain and provide an outlet for my fury at being out of control in a world that hurts me, scares me, or leaves me alone...." I find this to be true in my own life. It's a constant battle to try and "not" fill my life with pursuits in which I try to find my ultimate comfort and identity. I must leave it up to God to not only design my life but to fill my life with Himself. I do have an identity and it is in being a son of God through faith in Jesus Christ. When we come to a place in our lives where we can truly long to hear the words from the lips of Christ Himself, "Well done, good and faithful servant", only then can we re-direct our lives in such a way that we can find fulfillment in this life and the life to come. The Bible says it is better to "give than to receive". I believe that's the secret to overcoming our obsessions. We must first learn to "give" our lives over to God and His purposes and then, in turn, to be able to "give" of ourselves to others in a position of servanthood. This is our true act of worship and it takes us out of ourselves and into the realm of healing and wholeness.