Thursday, December 28, 2006

How do you draw your line?

Had an interesting conversation with my friend a few days ago.

One of the topics that we discuss is drinking. When it comes to Christian living, we are told to not fall into drunkeness (Ephesians 5:18, Proverbs 23:20-21 etc.).

My friend noticed that I tend to exclude everything and then add exceptions. In the case of drinking, I would exclude all alcohol and then add the following exceptions:

- it's ok for me to have a glass or two of wine during dinner
- it's ok to have wine during a wedding

He, on the other hand, will be more open and add rules along the way. So for him, he will consider all drinking is permissable and then add rules like the following:

- it's NOT ok to drink when I am driving
- it's NOT ok to drink to the point where I pass out.

I tend to draw my line conservatively and slowly open up. He will do the opposite. I got a feeling our lines are very similair with each other.

..speaking of drinking and driving, a local mother got killed by a drunk driver while jogging earlier this month (read here). What a tragedy. The family had four young children. I didn't thought too much about it until I discuss with another friend. Afterwards, I realized that could be me that was ran over. Or worst, that could be me on the steering wheel.

To ensure that this will never happen, if I ever drive, I will not touch alochol. Not even one drop. It is so easily to try and justify that ..'hey the law say i can drink X % and I can handle myself with one or two beer'. I am sure that's the same mentality of a drunk driver.

18 comments:

Afternoon Tea With Oranges said...

You are so right Clif - that could have been any of us on either side of that tradgedy. Oh that's terrible...

I agree with you, though, no driving under any circumstances if you have had any alcohol.

Hope you had a holly, jolly Christmas!!!

:) said...

Right on, brother!

Anonymous said...

I like your approach Cliff. It is scary to think that there are drunk drivers out there while we are running.

Anonymous said...

The whole alcohol issue is so hard in light of spirituality. I tend to take the same approach as you.

Rick Gaston said...

Alcohol is one of my vices. I'm a lot better with it now but still on a yearly basis I'll get drunk a couple of times. I let my guard down too easily around that stuff, worse the more you drink the less control you have. Anyway I tend to take the same line as your friend. Funny it's my triathlete friends who keep me clean. They don't party on the weekends because they have to train. It's my Christian friends whose always out. They are not drunks or anything like that but their activities is always around alcohol.

Found your blog through Donald's.

Anonymous said...

On board with you - If I drive I don't drink. If I drink I don't drive. Great post Cliff...and to the point.

Anonymous said...

well put, bro.

Rachel said...

I don't really like alcohol. It makes me sick before I get drunk. So parties are a little awkward but at least I'm up and at 'em early the next morning!

Anonymous said...

It is interesting topic to discuss from a Biblical standpoint.

However, wherever you draw your line, I agree on the let's don't drink and drive. PERIOD.

Rae said...

What a terrible tragedy. I've had a couple of friends killed by drunk drivers, and saw a wreck caused by a drunk driver once. I won't dare drive when I've had anything to drink. I'm a bad enough driver as is!!!

Anonymous said...

just wanted to say happy new years!

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year to you, Cliff.

Stay tuned...

Anonymous said...

All the very best for the year ahead Cliff!

Anonymous said...

You could have really openned up a can of worms with the discussion on alcohol and Christianity. As a Christian, I am constantly ashamed of my fellow believers acting no better than the world. I also see them being hypocrites which is just as bad. Drinking is not a moral issue. It's a heart issue. So is everything else that distracts us from doing the one thing we were created for, which is bringing glory to God. That being said, I do drink. Not just at weddings or Christmas dinners. I drink because I enjoy it, and I believe that's ok. We need to have stories like the one you mentioned posted at every bar and liquor store as a constant reminder to all how precious life is. I include myself. Good post.

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year, Cliff!
Great post - designate before you celebrate. I think I will include a resolution to drink less this year. It will show God I am thankful for the healthy body He gave me and I bet it'll get rid of my "winter-belly", too. It re-appeared recently - my guess is because I have been drinking Bailey's probably everyday for the last month... ;-(
Jenny

Bolder said...

well said, as always Cliff.

i truly enjoyed getting to know you through your blog, and in person in '06.

may '07 be your best!

Anonymous said...

It's always heartbreaking to see people (but especially bikers and runners out on the road) killed by drunk drivers. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and happy 2007.

Anonymous said...

Cliff,

I like the new look for your blog (even though it's probably a semi-old look by now, I've been offline for a few weeks).

Your comparison between yourself and your friend in how you think about alcohol is really interesting. Do you start from a place of complete restriction in other areas of your life? Do you allow total permissibility in some areas? Food for thought...I think I tend to err on the side of over-restriction and sometimes need to relax. You got me thinking--good post!