Power for Abundant Living

Availability, Receivability,Usabilitywent into the files of my mind and brought out thesermon I had developed on the misuse and the sin ofexcessive drinking. I preached with all the strength Ihad. When I finished, I patted myself on the back forhaving preached with such zeal against drinking that Ithought God would have to move over someone inthe spiritual realm and give me a special place inheaven.I walked from the pulpit to the vestibule of thechurch where a minister shakes hands with the peopleas they leave the sanctuary. As this poor alcoholicpassed through the handshaking line, he had tears inhis eyes. He limply shook my hand and he said, "Icame to church this morning to find out how to getout of what I am in, but all you did was put me indeeper." He cried, "If you want to know about alcoholism,I can tell you more than you will ever know."That response cut me to the bone. I thought I hadpreached a tremendous sermon. But this man walkedout saying he came to church trusting that maybe Iwould tell him how to get out of the dilemma he wasin; instead I had merely told him less than he alreadyknew.I quit shaking hands and returned to my officewhere I knelt in prayer next to my office chair. Ihardly ever kneel when I pray, but somehow thatmorning I dropped next to my chair and I asked God17