I-O-G-D

I O G D

Yes, the addict has been walking in a maze of confusion. Yes, the addict has stumbled and lost his sense of direction. Yes, the addict has cried out for one rule that would lead him out of confusion.

Perhaps there is such a rule.

In the words of Mike Knott (a musician with the band LSU):

"One thing I've learned through my wrong ways, one thing I've found in my day ... Christ saves."



Sobriety cannot be the single-point focus of each new day. Such a focus will lead to failure. "Stop thinking about red dragons!" If that is your goal, you will undaoubtedly think about red dragons. When the addict starts each day focused on stopping his addiction, he focuses on a negative, stumbles, and acts out.

But the answer may have been there all along.

The addict went to school at Saint John's University, a Benedictine college in rural Minnesota. Prominently displayed on one of the school's central buildings are the letters I O G D. This is short for "in omnibus glorificetur Deus" -- "that in all things God may be glorified."



Benedictines live a community life where the central goal is that all is done for the glory of God. No matter how mundane or how difficult, all acts are committed to bringing God glory.

A similar phrase is seen on the musical scores of Johann Sebastian Bach. Each composition of Bach's had the letter S D scrolled at the top. S D: "solus Deus" -- "for the glory of God alone." Bach acknowledged that all of his work was dedicated to God's glory.

Perhaps here is where the addict can find that single rule which can help him crawl out of the pit of addiction. Rather than focusing on sobriety, submit the goal of sobriety to the greater goal of bringing glory to God. Start each day with the focus on how to honor God and bring God glory in that day. Nobody is asking the addict about red dragons anymore. Instead, for each act of the new day, the addict dedicates his actions to bringing God glory. A truer and healthier focus is afoot.

So there it is, addict. Stop looking into the pit and turn your gaze upwards to the one who has the power to save you. Offer this power all of your activities. Offer your activities as a way to give glory to this higher power.

IOGD!

Go, addict, go!