every addict matters

As I was running yesterday I saw a lady outside of a local business wearing a shirt that caught my attention. On her shirt I read these words… Every Addict Matters. I was caught by and held on to that statement.

This past year I met a man who speaks around the country that shares a message he calls “You Matter”. That man is Bobby Petrocelli. That statement has stuck with me since that last fall.

Another reason why that lady’s statement caught my attention is because of our commitment to serve people who are battling addiction. Our transitional homes for homeless men offer help for those in addiction. Our church has hosted recovery ministry for many years. Currently that is Celebrate Recovery that meets on Tuesday’s at 7pm.

Recently one of the men we have been serving passed away due to a relapse of addiction. His death hit me hard as do the tough times that so many we are close to have hit. Addiction is a very difficult and a very real thing.

God has called our church to remind others that they matter. They matter first to God. They matter to each of us because we love people. That is why that lady’s hit me, and that is why I am sharing with you this e-devotion.

It is not Black Lives Matter that I bring to you. It is not Blues Lives Matter or Police Lives. It is people matter. And one of those groups of people that keep pulling at my heart are those who find themselves in one of the most difficult places I have experienced. That would be in the throws of addiction.

John 3:16 NLT

For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

God loves people. That is settled. Every person. He gave His greatest gifts for people who to know and experience His deep and unending love.

Mark 12:33 NLT

And I know it is important to love him with all my heart and all my understanding and all my strength, and to love my neighbor as myself. This is more important than to offer all of the burnt offerings and sacrifices required in the law.”

We are called to love God and love others. Give that phrase another look. People matter. Every Addict Matters.

Now go live it out. Know that you matter and every person you come in contact with matters.

Who is it in your sphere of influence that needs to know they matter?

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Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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