As I sit here on a Friday, I am contemplating the end of one week and yet the beginning of a new one and how that is true over the whole spectrum of life. Every ending is a new beginning for something. For instance, in recovery, one has to end their old life style in order to begin a new one. Someone once told me that every change in life is both a loss and a gain depending on how one chooses to focus on it. That is definitely something that we teach our men here at Open Door Mission and it is greatly empowering as well. Rarely do we find anyone who has been through more losses than our men here on the recovery program. If they can begin to view those past losses as changes instead of meaningless experiences they suffered and trust God who was and is still in control, they can begin for the first time in their lives to realize some of the true power of Christ in setting them free. Not so much freedom from the pain as freedom from slavery to it. We call it “reframing”. Taking an experience, looking at it realistically, and figuring out what God has to offer and teach us from it.

As I write this, I must admit that I am so proud of our men. Lately, they have been put through a barrage of changes and have chosen to focus on them in a positive life-changing way. The Word of God teaches us that we are all made in His image and therefore people carry so much more potential than we realize. It is definitely a privilege to see our men prove that daily.

That’s why our Lord died on a cross 2,000 years ago, isn’t it? This certainly was a horrendously evil event, definitely an incredible loss. Yet, God brought out of that very act the most blessed event in mankind’s history - He redeemed us and made us righteous. The most evil act was made the most righteous act; the biggest loss in history was made into the greatest gain of all time. I can’t think of a more important message for our men to understand.

It was my privilege just 2 days ago to be setting with one of our men explaining this to him when he told me that he was already saved but needed to act upon it and start building his life on this foundation. So he decided to rededicate his life to Christ on the spot. I don’t have to tell you what an honor that was for me. Further, that is something we get to experience all the time here. Our men have the same potential that we do, just different experiences. When those experiences lead to life-altering beliefs, the only cure is Biblical beliefs. Recovery is essentially replacing faulty belief systems (in several areas) with appropriate belief systems. Isn’t it great to have that from an objective source? Thank God for his revealed Word or all I would be able to offer is my own faulty beliefs. Beliefs have tremendous transforming power. No wonder the Word of God has so much to say about belief from cover to cover.

The weather is changing, the economy is changing, and the world is changing around us, but I just praise Him for the anchor He has provided and hope to teach others to do so too.

Stan Latta
Men’s Recovery Services Director