I was barely six years old when I first began to notice the beverages that my parents drank. Most of the time, they would share them with me if I asked, but there was this one brownish liquid that my dad drank, that no matter how hard I begged, he wouldn’t let me try. He called it “Alcohol”. I didn’t understand. Why was this stuff “off-limits” for me, when his juice and soda were readily shared? He explained that it was because I was “too young”, but the more I thought about it, the more it didn’t make any sense. Why was I too young for this, and not for the other drinks? If it was as good as my dad seemed to think it was, why shouldn’t it be enjoyed by everyone? Especially a 6 year-old?

The more I thought about it, the more I determined I became to try some of this forbidden liquid. I bided my time until one evening my parents went to a movie, leaving my older brother and I in the care of our grandmother. I was playing in the kitchen, and naturally, my eyes were attracted to the cupboard over the sink where my dad kept the different flasks of that brownish liquid. “I wonder what it tastes like?” I whispered. I looked around quickly to see who might be watching me, but I was in luck. My grandmother was busy watching TV and my older brother was reading in the other room. There was absolutely no one there to stop me!

I carefully crawled up onto the kitchen counter, and with one last guilty look over my shoulder, I made my way to the cupboard. Grabbing the first bottle I could reach, I screwed off the top and smelled it. Yuck! It burned my nostrils!

Maybe my nose should have stopped me, but it didn’t. If my dad enjoyed it as much as he did, surely the taste must be better than the smell! But when I swallowed that first mouthful, I thought I was going to die. It burned my throat, it made my eyes water, and it was all I could do to pant in breath. How could anyone drink this stuff and act like they were enjoying it!

I began to feel a bit dizzy. I didn’t know why, but in case it was the brown liquid, I closed the bottle, put it exactly where I had found it and crawled back to the floor.

Now what?

I decided to go into the living room where my grandma was watching TV, and to my amazement, she was watching a documentary on the dangers of alcohol! I was too young to fully comprehend what was being said, but I remember how shocked I felt about the possible disastrous consequences caused by that brownish liquid. Right then and there, I decided to never touch the stuff again.

I only broke my resolve once. When I was 12, we were in a car accident and to “get over the shock”, my parents forced me to drink a small glass of Brandy. But the taste hadn’t improved in six years and being reminded of my early decision, I recommitted myself to a life of abstinence, and though the peer pressure and social obligations of my teen and early adult years often made it difficult, I was never again swayed.

It was years later that I learned that I came from several generations of alcoholics on both sides of my family. My decision, made at six years of age, was perhaps what helped me to escape the fangs of this monster that continues to hold held the rest of my family in its nasty grasp.

As I reflect on the circumstances that led me years ago to abstinence, I realize how much sin is like alcohol. People rave about it and everyone has a longing desire to taste it, even from very early on. No one has ever been able to shake off their sinful tendencies, and most of us don’t even seem to WANT to get rid of them! Some boast about their sinful actions. Others are ashamed, but don’t know how to get away from its vicious grasp. This brings great sorrow to God, especially because sin creates a chasm between us, making it impossible for us to enjoy the close relationship He desires to have with each of us.

Yes, sin seems to be here to stay. On our own, there is no way out. However God did the impossible to deliver us from its consequences. Two thousand years ago He died the death we deserved. But He didn’t stay dead. Instead, He came back to life, making His resurrection power available to us all: “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor 15:57 NIV) And He invites each of us-everyone!-to let Him dwell in our hearts. He hungers for an intimate relationship with each of us, even the worst of sinners: “God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim 2:3-4 NIV)

Those who welcome His offer experience inner peace and joy. Though trials still come their way, they find strength in their new found friend. They are not alone any longer. They have someone they can rely on, someone who will give them victory. As the newly-found relationship with God takes precedence, sin becomes less attractive. They have stepped out of death into life, a life full of excitement and adventures with a friend that will never abandon them: “We have passed from death to life…” (1 John 3:14 NIV)

Sinhigh (being addicted to sin) or sinyuck (having a distaste to sin). What will your choice be? I will always choose a relationship with Jesus over anything else. Sin, just like alcohol is addictive, and it doesn’t even taste good!

Rob Chaffart