Sometimes it seems that texting while driving has stolen the spotlight from drunk driving.

However, it’s still the same problem it was back in 1976 when my grandfather was killed by a drunk driver on his way TO work.

But, many drunk or buzzed drivers aren’t just the stereotypical, stumbling alcoholics.

How many well-respected, hard working professionals, both ‘blue and white collar’ share ‘a couple of drinks’ after work before going home FROM work?

Not only is it a part of day-to-day life in some work places, but in many work cultures it’s an expectation to network and ‘climb the ladder’.

It’s only by the grace of God that more of these happy hours don’t end in tragedy.

I’m not saying don’t go to happy hour, but be responsible. Many people leave one drink, and one blink from suddenly changing (or ending) their life…or someone else’s.

Ephesians 5:17-19 (NKJV)

¹⁷ Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.¹⁸ And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,

BE BLESSTIFIED.

Most of us are very busy, with many responsibilities pulling us many different ways, but God is good and has given us many means to sustain our lives. He has given us…
JOBS to sustain us financially…

FAMILIES to sustain us emotionally and with love and support…

Assemblies of The Most High to help sustain us spiritually…

But if we aren’t careful, we can allow the things that are MEANT TO SUSTAIN OUR LIVES DRAIN THE LIFE OUT OF US.
WORK/CAREER…

God has blessed us with jobs and careers to earn the money to provide for ourselves and our families. It is God’s will that we all work, as the bible says that anyone who doesn’t work shouldn’t eat (2Thessalonians 3:10). We must be very careful however to not allow our jobs and careers drain the life out of us. Yes, jobs can be demanding physically, emotionally and spiritually. We have to deal with coworkers, bosses and customers that take our patience to the edge. I know sometimes we have to work extended hours…but some choose to do so because they either want more material things or have obligated themselves with more. Not all ‘deadbeat parents’ live away from their children. Many neglect quality time with their family when they don’t have to do so. Many compromise their respect, values and sometimes Christian character trying to get promoted and ‘climb the ladder”. Many come home from work depleted, grumpy wanting to be left alone with no energy left for anything else.
FAMILY…

Families are a blessing (Psalm 68:6), meant to enrich our lives and to be the foundation of the Body of Christ, but sometimes the demands of family can drain us also. The stress of responsibilities, managing relationships, family rivalries, trying to be everything to everyone can drain us too. Home should be a place of peach and not drama. Sometimes we can bring stresses that originated outside the home, inside the home. It’s important to spend quality time with one another, but it’s also necessary to spend some quality, peaceful moments alone with just you and God, so that our family life doesn’t drain us.
CHURCH…

Yes we must even be responsible in how we allocate our WORSHIP/REST to be obedient. It is very clear that God intends for His family to fellowship together, worship together and most of all, work together for His Kingdom. He told us clearly in Hebrews 10:25 that we aren’t to forsake assembling together. However, some people have ‘established their own righteousness’ by staying in church ALL DAY LONG. Some have established a church culture going to church school early in the morning, then they have worship service which is GOOD AND SUFFICIENT…but they then regularly have another service and/or rush or rush to visit another church for an afternoon service and sometimes have an evening service later. They then start their work weeks TIRED AND DRAINED because they worshiped and had fellowship but did not rest TOO as commanded. God COMMANDED THAT WE WORSHIP AND REST. If we don’t get rest we are being disobedient. We are to refresh ourselves so we can have energy to work and do Kingdom work during the week. Yes, there is the example of Paul preaching all night in Acts Chapter 20 but that wasn’t the norm, he did that because he planned to leave the next day. God intends for church to REFRESH AND ENRICH us, not drain us.

God intends for our lives to have BALANCE…don’t allow what’s meant to SUSTAIN YOUR LIFE…DRAIN YOUR LIFE.

BE BLESSTIFIED