"Drinkin'"

My mama said don’t do it,

Said she just thought it’s wrong,

And never would approve it,

Said it does not belong,

With serving God and others,

No matter what you think,

She considered it a sin,

To ever take a drink.

I took quite a different view,

I tried to drink it all,

And think I helped Jim Beam expand,

No doubt about it, y’all.

But I’ll admit the dumbest things,

I ever did or said,

Happened when I’d had a few,

Of whiskey poured out red.

Including when I wrecked a car,

That I turned over twice,

I walked out without a scratch,

But, man, I paid the price.

And now I take a different view,

I never make a fuss,

If somebody has a drink,

I never feel I must,

Preach to them about it,

I don’t think that’s my job,

But truth is, it is dangerous,

And sometimes it will rob,

A person of their dignity,

And all their self-respect,

In fact it can destroy one’s life,

And make it quite a wreck.

But Jesus drank with sinners,

Turned water into wine,

Though my Mom thought He shouldn’t have,

I’m sure it turned out fine.

And when she got to heaven,

Maybe she complained,

About that wine from water thing,

And I’m sure He explained.

And me, I just forget to drink,

Don’t think about it much,

And never make an argument,

Or get far out of touch,

With those who take on different views,

With some I disagree,

But when it comes to many things,

It’s just not up to me.

The Bible says to not be drunk,

With wine or other things,

But be filled with the Spirit,

And He’ll make our hearts sing.

So think about it, brother,

His presence and His power,

Can make us high and get us through,

Starting now, this very hour.

“Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit…” (Ephesians 5:18, NLT0

Paul counsels the Ephesian church concerning their sobriety. He is telling them not to live under the influence of anything but the Holy Spirit. People get drunk on lots of things, but it’s the Spirit who alone should be handed the reins and given control. When He controls us, praise is born in our hearts. In fact, only Spirit-filled people want to praise the Lord. They do so, not out of any sense of obligation but because they can’t help it. Giving up an addiction requires God’s power, but more importantly, must be replaced by the positive influence of God’s presence and power. Let people fuss all they like about the issue of drinking. But that’s not the real issue. The real issue is who is in control. And Paul says it should be the Holy Spirit, nothing less and nothing else.

Lord, fill us to overflowing with Your Spirit, in Jesus’ name.

Art by the late Bill Owen, used by permission. Thanks, and God bless.