To Drink, or Not to Drink...

That. That is the question of this post. So, I'm in a place in life where I'm walking through another potential metamorphosis. Growing up I felt very strongly about abstaining from alcohol. My mom had shared stories about her father who drank a lot and I knew of school mates who did not make it through alcohol related auto accidents. In fact, I got very upset at a girlfriend who had hidden her underage drinking from me because she knew how strongly I felt about it.

Then, I turned 21. Still feeling very strong about alcoholic consumption someone else ordered me my first drink. I have never been drunk, though there were times when I drank more than I should have.

As I grew older and began to make decisions for myself that I thought were based not merely on opinion but my understanding of what the Bible teaches. Being that Jesus first miracle was turning water into wine and Paul told Timothy to take a little wine for his ailments I did not stop my consumption. The flip side of this argument was that I knew I should not lead a brother astray. With that in mind I was careful to watch not only quantity but location and company. I tried to be very careful who I consumed alcohol near. On top of this I made a decision that I should never drink alone.

Having chosen to complete my graduate education at an institution that requests me to live by a certain standard I have chosen to live by that standard and not consume alcohol while enrolled in classes. This is where the transformation, or potential metamorphosis, begins to take place.

In August 2007 I was commissioned as a USAF Chaplain Candidate. As I think toward the future and the type of influence I wish to have I am debating abstaining from the consumption of alcohol altogether. This thought is mostly due to the thinking that my testimony is more important than my personal desires. You see, I enjoy a nice glass of wine, a good beer, a smooth whiskey on the rocks or even a gin and tonic. Now don't go thinking I'm some sort of lush as I haven't had a drink in quite some time. Perhaps that's what you were reading into the previous sentence...

All of that to say that I'm in a decision making process that is very important to me and ultimately I want to make this decision not because I feel I have to but because I want to. This is a choice that I can substantiate with scripture to support both stances. While I'm not currently drinking alcohol, the final verdict is still out... though I'm leaning toward abstinence.

(Photo, of corks above, taken while visiting family with a Canon A95 and manipulated with Picasa2)