Burning Bridges

By Eric Hutchinson, Fellowship Bible Church, Rogers, Celebrate Recovery ministry TEAM Training coach, 8/19/20


I love idioms.  You know, a word or phrase that means something different than the actual words being used.  For instance, when you hear the phrase “burning bridges”, you probably think of doing something so bad that you can never take it back or repair the damage that has been done.  The phrase burning bridges is typically used as a warning to someone that is about to make a decision that could likely do irreparable damage to a relationship or situation.  However, the origin alludes to the military practice of the Romans who would be conquering another territory.  As they crossed the river to get to that territory the commander would order that the bridge and/or boats be burned behind them so the soldiers had to face their enemy with no retreat available.  This would motivate the men to fight with even more intensity since there was no escape back over the bridge they just burnt. 

I’ve been thinking about this and how it relates to my recovery.  When I first came to Celebrate Recovery, almost 10 years ago, I wanted to cross over to a new territory of freedom from lust, pornography and the painful hurt of my divorce.  I joined a step study.  I went to Friday nights at CR and worked this process.  I found the saying to be true, “It works if you work it and it won’t if you don’t.”  I crossed over that glorious bridge to freedom!  My story is similar to many of you.  My question is this.  What can we do to burn that bridge so that we never cross back over to the land of relapse?  I have known men who have experienced this same freedom but have since crossed back over to the bondage they once worked so hard to be free from.  Why?  2 Peter 2:22 says, “A dog returns to its vomit and a washed pig returns to the mud.”  If freedom is so great, then why do people travel back across that bridge and enslave themselves again?  The truth is that freedom is hard to gain and difficult to maintain.  It’s easy to be enslaved, isn’t it?  There is definitely some pleasure to be had and it provides a temporary escape from my hurts habits and hang-ups.  Also, it doesn’t require a lot of work to be in bondage.  However, I remember what it felt like to be a slave to my addiction.  I remember the guilt, shame, anger, bitterness, resentment and depression.  I also remember the hurt that I caused myself and others.  I don’t ever want to go back!  So, how do I burn that bridge?  Well, the bad news is that I can’t actually burn that bridge like I can a physical bridge.  I wish I could.  I wish I could completely remove the temptation to go back to the land of relapse.  There are times that the offering of pleasure and escape sing to me like a pied pipers flute and I want to step towards that bridge.  However, this Celebrate Recovery process has provided me some incredible tools!  These tools have put obstacles in front of that bridge that help to prevent me from crossing back over.  I’ve noticed that for some, this pandemic has caused a removal of those barriers to the bridge. If I stop doing the very things that gave me freedom, then I put my freedom in jeopardy.  Now, I know that we are not currently meeting together physically.  However, we still have the option to watch a live service and worship and engage with our CR family online.  We aren’t meeting physically in our regular open share groups but we have the CRCR Zoom open share groups every Friday night.  Step studies are soon to be coming and we need our leaders to lead!  I have been sober for almost 10 years and I believe engagement with my forever family through worship and open share groups have played a vital role.  I also continue to work Principle 7 & 8.  How about you?  Have you removed the obstacles to crossing over that old bridge?  If you have, let me encourage you to reengage.  Watch our live services on Friday night and engage with those who are also watching.  Then, go to our CRCR open share groups. They have been a lifeline to me!  WE NEED YOU to lead our upcoming step study groups.  Hebrews 10:25 says, “Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another…”  2 Corinthians 1:4 says, “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others…”  May I NEVER let go of the freedom that has been given to me and travel back across that bridge of slavery.  The way I stay free is the very same way that I walked across that bridge to the land of freedom.  I need to keep doing the same things that led me here to begin with.  Philippians 4:9 says, “Keep putting into practice all that you learned and received from me…”  I hope that this email finds you in a good place doing the same things that gave you freedom.  However, if you have stopped and you feel the lure of the bridge, stop right now and reengage in our community and service.  I love you guys and I miss you!  May God bless you and keep you on this side of the bridge!


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