Over the past 34 years, I’ve had the opportunity in God’s ministry of Get High on Life to meet many people struggling with various addictions. I’ve seen a few miracles over the years and have shared a few of the success stories in my weekly articles.  

The most discouraging fact of the ministry is that the failures far outnumber the successes. I must keep in mind that God’s Word says many are called, but few are chosen. I also have to realize that my role in the ministry is to plant the seed; only God gives the increase and completes the miracle.

Am I disappointed when someone rejects the good life that God offers to anyone who surrenders to His will for his or her lives? That grieves my heart, but again I must remember that my responsibility is to only plant the seed.

Approximately 10 years ago, a friend of mine asked if I would visit someone in the jail in Donaldsonville. The man had worked for him and was a great mechanic but had a serious alcohol and drug problem. I visited the young man and offered to direct him to a treatment center, and after three months in jail, he decided to seek help.  

After completing the 28-day program, he kept in touch, started going to church in his parish, and one Saturday asked if I would attend church with him because he was going to be baptized.  

It was exciting to see a man, who a few months ago was ready to give up, now full of life and excited about what God what doing in his life.  

He later moved away, met a young lady, got married and was blessed with a little girl. He and his wife both had good jobs, attended church regularly and kept in touch with Jeanne and me.  

One Thanksgiving, he visited the

treatment center he had completed

years ago, and he and his wife smoked turkeys and fed the clients. He said that he just wanted to give back to others

in gratitude for what God had done for him.      

If the story finished here, it would have been a successful one. The sad news is the rest of the story.  

A year ago, he called and shared that he and his wife were having problems. He eventually told me that he had started using drugs again. I reminded him of what he heard years ago at the treatment center, that drugs were cunning, baffling and powerful, was accurate.  

“You’re dealing with the devil,” I said, “and you’ll get burnt.”

He and his wife split, and he tried another treatment center, but didn’t stay. He quit his job and, as far as I know, is still out there somewhere, turning his back on his Heavenly Father, who still loves him.  

When people who have a taste of the good life turn back to their sin, it would have been better if they had never known the truth. The description of such a person is found in II Peter 2: 22, “… A dog comes back to what he has vomited, and a pig is washed only to come back and wallow in the mud again.” I pray that he will come back to Jesus, his first love.

    

If you have any questions or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call 985-652-8477, or email hkeller@comcast.net.