Mad for God or Drunk for the World?

In the 19 years I have lived, it is not that long ago that I struggled with the morality of drinking myself, and seeing my friends waste away. At an early age, growing up as a child of Teen Challenge employees, I learned that drugs and alcohol can lead you down a dangerous and potentially deadly path. The many students of the program, made sure that I saw the importance of keeping away from drugs and alcohol during my teen years. They educated me on the various drugs and their effects, what paraphernalia looks like (so that if I saw it, I wouldn’t pick it up), and the of course, the destruction they has experienced because of drugs and alcohol. For the most part, I have never really seen the attraction to drugs (especially) and alcohol. As for all young teens, a rebellious attitude is common. Thoughts of being invincible from responsibility were also common in my mind. When the accountability I had was removed in my life, some lure to alcohol began to stir.

During my first trip overseas to Europe, in the summer of grade 10, I was surrounded by opportunities to drink. I was so curious about the “cool factor” behind it. On the last evening of our 10-day tour of Germany, Austria, and Czech Republic, we settled into a little Bohemian restaurant for a nice celebration. There before me on the table was a wide spread of pure whiskey, hard vodka, wine, and other hard alcohol. It wasn’t long before the chaperones were incoherent and the students weren’t far behind. Of course, in the Czech it’s not illegal for a 15-year-old, like myself at the time, to drink. So, while the chaperones were incoherent and my parents were on another continent, I mixed my way to a BAD hangover. The worse part was that Czech’s can hold their alcohol well, so the waiter’s kept on refilling the glasses when you weren’t looking. You never knew how much you had drunk. As well, me not being a regular drinker AT ALL, I did not know that you should not mix alcohol. This experience threw me off that path SO FAST! It scared the desire to drink out of me so much that I have not drunken the equivalent of a tall glass of alcohol in approx. 5 years. Even when I have had the chance to drink, I have turned it down. The taste of alcohol sends me into gagging spasms.

The next hurdle I came upon was, “how do I deal with my friends drinking?” My friends hadn’t cared much for alcohol in the earlier grades, but as they got older, that began to change. I didn’t know how to cope with being one of the only ones among them who didn’t drink, who didn’t want to waste away a night or weekend with alcohol. I saw friends in their drunken foolishness give over their sexual purity so easily; let their moral standards slide, and their inhibitions. Everyone began to show differences in their character. Their behaviour when they were incoherent began to show in their coherent state. “Exceptions” began to be made in their lives, which they would have never considered before being in regular habit of practicing their “innocent” past time with alcohol. People became sloppy in their morals, in respect for themselves, and in their behaviour towards others. This was all due to the abusive and sinful culture tied in with alcohol and drugs. Looking back, being with my friends was like sitting in a suss pool of iniquity. I hated every minute of it. Why did I stay? Perhaps I wanted to show them that there was another answer to their unfulfillment; God? Also, I didn’t want to be left all alone. For a time, I had been part of that culture to an extent, but God removed me from being a participant to an onlooker. I had gotten over trying to find a release from my problems in alcohol and drugs (Yes, I was at a time addicted to pharmaceuticals). I was searching for the truth in other things. I have been a Christian for some time, but I had not yet fully found God in His truest sense.

Once I got my head somewhat on my shoulders and my G2 license, I always offered my services to be a designated driver. I would say to everyone, “here’s my mobile number. Ring me whenever you need help, no matter what the time of night.” No one ever called. Even when they knew I would keep my promise, they also knew that I didn’t agree with what they were doing. The very first call I had, hit close to home with my younger brother, less than a year ago. He was going to ride his bike into Byron, down snake hill (we all know how dangerous that is at night) to a party and ride back up the hill drunk. Although my parents would disagree with his attendance, I knew that he would end up drunk and if he hurt himself, or had a fatal accident while riding up snake hill back home, I would not be able to live with myself. I made the difficult decision of driving him to the party, asking him to ring me, and returning to pick him up to go back home. He did ring, and I picked him and three other boys up, who were stoned out of their mind on shrooms. The whole experience blew my mind. How could anyone do that to themselves? When I asked my brother why he gets drunk he replied, “I just want to let everything else melt away and become numb. It’s like a higher state of being that allows me to think of nothing or of things I would not otherwise think about. Reality is too scary.” This spoke to me about the hopelessness in the many young generation. I pleaded with God saying, “is this what I am part of? Please blind my eyes away from this! It causes me so much grief!”

Most recently, I struggled with going into bars with friends, even just to protect them if they were the only female in the group. I felt so uncomfortable, suffocated, by the environment. I wanted to get out even more when a man (approx. 14 yrs older) that was socializing with the group leaned over and kissed me, in the spirit of St. Patty’s day, just missing my lips. When I objected to reciprocating, I was called a tense party pooper. Well, if a strange man kissed you, and wanted one back, wouldn’t you too, refuse? I took a DEEP breath when I got out of there. I fought with my friend’s rationality of being in that environment as a Christian. Yes, one drink is okay, but what kind of display of Christianity are you making in that in environment? What kind of perceptions are you leading on to non-believers about Christians and their lifestyle? What is there in your lifestyle/behaviour that would be so compelling to them to change their lifestyle when they see you socialize in the same manner? This bothered me quite a bit. It was on my mind constantly. I asked myself, “do Christians really rationalize their behaviour like this, in order to push aside their conscience to fulfill their selfish ambitions and desires?

After much moral dilemma and meditation on God’s Word I came to a conclusion with the help of 1 Corinthians 8 (you should read it). You see, the act of walking into a bar is not a sin BUT participating in the culture IS, because those with a weaker conscience (ex. New Christian or unbeliever) will be violated in their ignorance of Christianity. Even if you do not drink, your presence in a place of sin may still tempt you and cause others to stumble. Christ tells us that we are to remove temptations from our lives, not deliberately put ourselves in them! Better yet of all choices, stay clear from the bars and parties! Paul in 1 Corinthians 8, tells us to stay away from entering into grey areas which, can be VERY damaging to not only ourselves, but to those around us as well. Do not go to a party just to stand idly by, while watching the sin go on. You will soon become numb to it too and start to become sloppy in your walk with God. If you volunteer to be a D’nD, wait for your friend/sibling to call you to come for them, or wait outside and pray! Don’t become a part of that culture. Christ was in the world but He was not of it. He was like an objective observer, giving truth to his people. We are too called to be in the world, not of it.

Now, when it come to drinking a glass of wine with dinner or at a special event, make sure that there is no one around you that has a weaker conscience than you will not be led astray. If you violate a weaker conscience, you have sinned against Christ who saved them. God calls us to be wise, not on our own strength, but with the help of the Holy Spirit. The bottom line is, God only offers a black or white choice. We must make our choice, but still act in love toward those who are not living for God’s purpose. We can stand on our principles but we must be careful not to walk in judgement. God has already judged those who have rejected Christ and live in unrighteousness. The trick is finding God’s balance. It is a lesson we have all struggled with at one point.

I believe that God is leading me to ask (even myself), are there any grey areas in your life that you need to confess and get right with Him? Is the path that you are taking influencing others to pursue righteousness or to stray? God says to lay it all down at the foot of the cross to be crucified with Christ. Doesn’t it feel good to choose HIS way? You will always know that you have made the right choice when you experience this awesome joy. Glory be to God! May God richly bless you and keep you as you walk in obedience!


Love In Christ,

Natalie M. Steele

Note: All published blogs by Natalie M. Steele are protected

Is Life Worth Living? Ecclesiates 1:3-8

Have you ever wondered what purpose you have in your life? Have you ever wondered why life is worth living? So many people are bored, wandering around aimlessly, and complaining about how redundant their daily routine is. You may be thinking "what am I doing so wrong?" or "Why do I even bother living?" or even, "Ever since I became a Christian God has sucked the fun out of everything!" This draining lack of fulfillment plagues many Christians, including young Christians who struggle with the pressures of their peers. It can also be a particularly dangerous rut for those in ministry (topic for another day). Christianity is by no means boring but life can be boring and unfulfilling if we seek fulfillment in the world (buying the latest cds, making good impressions, acting "cool", attracting sexual attention from the opposite sex, etc.) instead of God. By no means is being a Christian easy. Sometimes, according to the world's standards, it gets worse before it gets better. Being a Christian means a call to holiness, which also means sacrifices, big and small. The fulfillment God gives involves nothing that the world would be able to match or describe as "fun" or "fulfilling."

In Ecclesiates 1 :3-8, Saul talks about being bored with the daily routine. He reasons that so many live without knowing God's purpose for their lives, or do not actively live out God's purpose. Saul calls us to question ourselves on our faith and relationship with God. He challenges us to find true and lasting meaning in God alone. Maybe this pause in your life is a ring from God, asking you to re-evaluate your relationship with him, your purpose, and direction? Whom are your serving? Are you spending your time wisely? What are you doing to find out your purpose in life? Is the life you're living for worth Christ dieing for? "The Kingdom of God is not just fancy talk; it is living by God's power" (1 Corinthians 4:20). God calls for active Christianty, not whining, complaining, whimpy Christianity. There are not excuses in the Kingdom of God.

In 1 Corinthians, Paul comments on; "Whomever puts their hands to the plow and looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God." When plowing a field, you need to direct your ox in a straight line so that the rows are straight to plant the seeds. If you look back, your ox will stray, and you will loose track of where you are going. Where are you looking? Are your sights set on directing your ox (purpose) in a straight line towards God? Or are you looking back into the past, to the temptations of the world, betraying Jesus' sacrifice, and loosing sight of your path because you let your eyes and ox stray? Was Christ dieing on the cross over-doing it for you?

So what are you waiting for? A lightening bolt to strike before you get a wake up call? Seek God with all that you have. Speak the language of action and DO what you say you are going to do in your Christian walk. Find our your purpose and plant God's seeds! Claim the impowerment that Christ gave to us when He died on the cross! JUST GO FOR IT!! God has created a specific purpose for us all. He wants to see us become warriors for His name through selflessness, holiness, and obedience. What man holds as everything, means nothing. What God holds as everything is EVERYTHING and ANYTHING we will ever need.

Again the question, "Is life worth living?" And I answer "yes" with utmost certainty. BUT, there is a secret; living life for God's purpose and NOT my own. God Bless you all greatly!

Love In Christ,
Natalie M. Steele

Note: All published blogs by Natalie M. Steele are protected

I am FINALLY getting to see the whole picture

When I left the native land, Canada, on my journey to England, little did I know about who I was, where I had come from, who God REALLY was and what faith means. Stripped of everything I knew, I felt like I was naked infront of every one. I could no longer hide from the things, and people who know me in Canada. When God took everything away from me, I screamed, I cried, I was angry, drained, and fustraited. All of this was for a purpose. In fact, it still is for a purpose.

Staying in England with my adopted family has been one of the most humbling, challenging, and blessed times of my life. Jonathan and Sung Joo have taught me so many things about living a life with faith. I could never explain it all to you, but I can live it. I've learned that living out what you have learned in faith is a powerful message to others.

During my time here in England, God has washed me clean of sin and has brought healing throughout my whole being. When sin left my life, I was finally able to start to hear the voice of my shepard, to understand His Word. Beforehand, I could not decipher His voice from the so many others I hear each day. I could not understand what the Bible was REALLY saying to my heart. You see, light and darkness cannot dwell in the same place. Everything began to change when I discovered the truths God had for me. I now know what it means to be "transformed by His Word."

For the first month, I sobbed on my face at God's feet. The importance of spending time in God's presence impacted my life so largely. He has become my first instinct instead of my last. I learned what it was to have a relationship with God, not a oneship, and to give it my all. I have continued to spend a lengthly amount of time each day with God, not only because its part of my missions objective, but more because I ENJOY the FACE TIME with God. It is no longer a chore, or just another daily rountine, it is my LIFE... to serve God. Until this year, I did not see any of this like I do now. I was terribly decieved by satan's curses over my life.

God has removed my desire to be comfortable in the mask I wore, in the pain of the past, and in my lazy Christianity. God also removed any attachment to material things. He spoke to me through that about His simplicity and gave me a desire for "extreme obedience"; drop everything and follow Him, knowing that I will have no place to lay my head. God brought me the humbling experience of being who He has created me to be, not what others expect me to be. I used to take pride in what I thought was my knowledge, my understanding, my wisdom, my intelligence. I was WRONG. Man is NOTHING withouth submitting to God in his flesh, admitting his weaknesses as a man, and asking for the Holy Spirit to give His wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and intelligence. When we are weak, HE is strong.

An important revelation for me was the knowledge that my identity lies in Christ and not in perfection, not in how beatutiful I am, not in how intelligent I am, not in how many good deeds I do for others, not in approval from humans, nor in the compliments that people give me. People will never satisfy a human heart, only God can. I realized that by being insecure and comparing myself to others, was judging God's creation. I had no place to scorn that. Finding my identity in Christ means I can proclaim that "I am Natalie Marie Steele, an individual. I am called. I am chosen. I am a Child of God." The Lord gives me the strength to stand alone with Him amongst a crowd.I tell all of these things that I have experienced to encourage my fellow Christians to run the race, to be real, to daily seek God and His direction. God loves you deeply, more than you could ever imagine. It is for this reason that I open myself up to be vulnerable and real with you.

I was inspired to call my blogger M.W.O.G - Might Woman of God, Because that is what God desires for me to be. When we speak and live out a prophecy over our lives, we pray it into existence. Seek him and find your calling. In him, we are all MIGHTY! God Bless you all.

Love In Christ,
Natalie M. Steele

Note: All published blogs by Natalie M. Steele are protected