II Chronicles 7:14

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Judge not...

Yesterday as I sat in my lawn chair soaking up the rays, sipping on a frozen Mai Tai and talking to God, I giggled at how many people would think that was SO WRONG!
Drinking and Praying???? Noooo!
yes.
why not?
I wasn't getting drunk. I wasn't even getting tipsy. I was just getting my headache/uptight self a bit more relaxed as I had a wonderful time talking to God, thanking Him for His supernatural peace to wash over me and my home and then I had some time of praying in the Spirit before it was time to go inside and start dinner. After that little "excursion" from my regular daily routine, I was refreshed and rejuvenated and ready for the remainder of my day.
I am well aware that the majority of Christians would totally see something wrong with that picture....and I understand where they're coming from. I've often wondered the same thing as I sat in a restaurant with my hubby on a date night, both of us sipping from some kind of frozen mixed-drink concoction, giggling and talking about our lives and our day...and then we bow our heads to pray over our dinner. At that moment, I am very alert to the fact that we could have on-lookers who think "Ah! Look at those people--they're DRINKING and now they're PRAYING!"
As a matter of fact, I even have some family members who would be saying that very thing. (and that is what I was raised to believe too.)
But show me where in the Bible it says that a person can't have A DRINK? and where it says that if you DO have a drink--you suddenly can't pray or "be" a Christian?
There is an enormous difference between "being drunk" which Jesus clearly warns us against, and having a single drink.
I am a firm believer in being led by the Spirit of God and having a close, intimate relationship with the Father. When you have that, you can find out what God would have YOU to do. I'm not saying that everyone should drink. A person inclined to alcoholism should probably stay far, far away from all of it. So, every person is individual and you have to make your choice for YOU based on what God leads you to do.
For me, I have complete peace about having a yummy frozen drink every now and then (and I'm talking maybe once every couple of months). It doesn't hinder my walk with the Lord one tiny bit. As a matter of fact, in a way, I feel freedom that I've never felt before because I grew up putting a LOT of emphasis on "works" and "appearances"--what other people would think--and now I realize that is silly.
I still respect the decisions of others and wouldn't ever choose to have a drink around someone who struggles with it. Nor would I disrespect a fellow believer if they have chosen not to partake.
Anyway, I don't know where all this is coming from or why I'm typing it. Just was on my mind after my FB post yesterday about "having a Mai Tai and praying" and I wondered how that would be received.
My first thought was "let he who has no sin cast the first stone" but then I thought...wait! Having this drink isn't a sin...so that doesn't work. So instead I say, "Judge not, lest you be judged." :o)

6 comments:

Rock Chef said...

I think that having a glass of wine or similar is very in keeping with being Christian.

I mean, didn't Jesus turn water into wine? He wouldn't have done that if he thought it was a bad thing!

Rene' said...

sometimes u crack me up

Beverly said...

I absolutely love this post. I to enjoy the occasional frozen/mixed drink and pray. How relaxing is that? I was also raised in a home that "Christian" don't drink. Well I am a Christian and though there have been times in my walk I have stumbled, wait, there have been times in my walk where I have fell flat on my face. The occasional drink had nothing to do with this, it was all me. Love ya girl!

Tammy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tammy said...

I so enjoyed this post, Jen!! I am a Christian, I like to have a drink or two, I don't get drunk, I don't judge others and I don't give a HOOT what people think of me!! There is only ONE who we will have to answer to. And I'm sure the pomegranate martinis I drank will not be what I have to answer FOR. It's your life ... live it how YOU want. Enjoy every minute! And I'm sure you're doing your absolute BEST to make your Father proud.

Simmons girlz said...

I agree with both sides of the fences.
I recently listened to an old message from Pastor Willie George concerning this very topic. He does not say what you should or shouldn't do, the choice is up to you. But he does talk about how the bible says do not be drunk with the wine. So obvious people could get drunk, which concludes that the wine was "Wine". He goes on to say that in the times of the bible, the culture was very different than today. If you were caught "drunk in the wine" you were a huge disgrace to yourself and your family. And how socially that behavior was not accepted. Relating to today, unfortunately our culture has embraced the need to be drunk. Kids grow up thinking its cool to be drunk and cant wait to go to their first party to participate. I don't remember all of his talking points, but I do remember walking away thinking, he has not condemned anyone for drinking nor has he given you a go drink card, yet your enlighten to see there is more to the side on which people choose not to drink. It defiantly gave me a new perspective.
You can find this message for free at Church on The Move under the tab of Watch COTM service. the title is Q&A part 5.