“We do not remember days, we remember moments” – Ceasre Paverse
It was a normal morning. It started off just like almost every other morning had the previous three years. I woke up blurry eyed, hungover, jonesing for something to take away the pain.
My legs were kicking and my stomach was aching. I took my time getting ready for the day, stopping every few minutes as my gut rejected all the previous night had forced upon it.
It was miserable, but it was normal.
With a hand full of pills in my pocket and a few more waiting for me in my top desk drawer, I headed out. A couple Red Bull pit stops later and I made it into work about 9:45.
Locked inside my office, my day began. Chopping, smashing and lining up 3 beautiful rails that would be my breakfast. A mixture of Oxy’s and Lortabs flew up my nose, at about the same time I heard a pounding on my office door!
My life changed in this moment. It was at this precise moment that everything began to change. It was April 6th, 2011. 5 years ago today. (click here to read exactly what happened)
I often ponder what God must have been thinking the days leading up to this moment. Was He excited? Was He smiling? Did He wonder what choice I would make when given the opportunity? Or did He already know? What did God think about this moment?
Of all my experiences the past 5 years, it was in this moment where everything stood in the balance. I could go and open the knocking door, face the truth and begin to change. Or I could open the door, continue living in denial and run from reality like I had done for so long. This moment offered two distinct options. Freedom or continued bondage.
I’ve often said that what changed for me in that moment was the choice I made to finally confess. Instead of arguing over details or trying to manipulate my way out of it, I just admitted the truth that everyone else already knew. I was caught and it was time to get honest. It was my moment.
Since that moment at roughly 10AM on April 6th 2011 nothing has been the same. Life has truly been magical.
That magic moment brought so much truth into my life. I learned that confrontation breeds change. That God is not, was not and will never be, mad at me. I realized that He had a plan for my life. I began to see that my life was worth living and living to the full. I chose freedom and I’m so glad I did.
That moment changed me forever.
I believe moments like this happen every day for so many of us. I believe God provides “a way out” of pain, divorce, addiction, guilt, shame and resentment all the time. Sometimes it’s through people and sometimes it’s through circumstances. But the moments of change are always present. Freedom is always one moment away.
The question is, “What will you do with the moments God gives you today?”
Could it be that the life you’ve always wanted hangs in the balance of the choices you make in the moments God gives you today?
My life is proof that that is possible.
So make the most of the moments God gives you. Choose to embrace challenge, step into confrontation and as often as you can, confess you baggage.
Life is meant to be lived free. May you step into the moments that God gives you today and find the freedom you deserve.
Hope is Alive!