Believe it or not, these reason have little if nothing to do with my religious convictions. Most people would attribute my refusal to drink alcohol to the fact that I’m a minister, but that has nothing to do with it. Let me also stipulate that I do drink alcohol when I take cold medicine, but I do not stock my refrigerator with alcohol nor do I drink socially (an idea which I don’t understand).
Let me first address my lack of understanding when it comes to social drinking. When I get together with people whose company I enjoy, I don’t think of drinking. I don’t think of texting or Facebooking on my cell phone either, because social events are meant to be social. Therefore, I view social events as investing time and attention in others. The idea that drinking is a social custom is something I reject. It’s absurd to me. So, there.
I don’t drink for the following reason:
1) My father drank and was physically abusive to my mother.
2) I had an uncle get drunk and pass out when I was seven, and it scared me.
3) I have an aunt — now deceased — who drank for years and ruined herself. Please notice the part where I mentioned that she’s now deceased. At her death — although relatively young — she looked rough.
4) The idea left in my mind when I think of alcoholic drinking is mediocrity. Those in my family who made drinking a habit have led mediocre lives. Sure, I know wealthy people drink too, but this was the impression I had growing up.
5) I’ve seen people drink to the loss of control of their faculties. I know I may one day lose control of my senses, but it will not be by choice. It will be because I’ve lived a long life and have gotten so old that I’m losing my mind. I hate the prospect of this happening so much, so why would I want to voluntarily usher this process of life in sooner than when nature permits it?
6) Drunk people are too weepy and obnoxious to me. Some are just pure hateful. You either get the weepy, obnoxious drunk, or the hateful drunk. Both are not fun. So, following the Golden Rule, I wouldn’t want to be to someone else what I wouldn’t have them be to me.
7) Alcoholism runs in my family. My father, his mother, her father, etc. These are people who have had problems at one point or another with alcohol, so I would rather learn from their mistakes, time in prison, and so on rather than experience it for myself.
I could probably go on. However, this will suffice. Now, let me add that I don’t think I’m better than anyone who drinks. It’s a choice I’ve made based on my childhood. Furthermore, I have decided that I refuse to let anyone or anything have control over me. If I can help it, I will be my own person. The only one that I let exercise control over me is Jesus — and my wife, of course. That’s because I have seen the wisdom of His ways as higher than mine. Now, I’m not perfect by any stretch, but I try to yield my will to His, and the Bible is plentiful with passages that disdain drunkenness (cf. Prov. 4:17; 20:1; 23:21, 34; et. al.). My favorite is:
Hear, my son, and be wise, and direct your heart in the way. Be not among drunkards…(Prov. 23:19-20)
Remember when Jesus was dying on the cross? The Roman soldiers offered him a mixture of wine and myrrh (Mark 15:23). This concoction was meant to deaden His senses so that He did not feel the pain. However, Jesus refused. Why? He refused because He knew He was meant to suffer. Some people use alcohol to deaden the pain. However, your pain is merely mental or emotional. Perhaps it is God’s will that you face whatever is before you, rather than taking the easy way out. Only then will you see God — with un-deadened senses.
I’m not on a soapbox, but I think I have every right to be given some events in my childhood. Nevertheless, I don’t want my children to have to suffer because I was selfish enough to drink. I don’t want my relationships to suffer because I chose to drink. I don’t want my salvation to be discarded because I chose a drink over Christ. It’s just not worth it.
