Perhaps I am making too much out of words but as I have been studying addictions, 'recovery' has become a word of great concern. The question that looms in my mind is 'what are people recovering to?'.
Recently, Tim Keller wrote a book entitled Counterfeit Gods which explores the idolatry of the heart. Keller makes the point that we can honor, esteem or adore those things which are both good or bad. Having a child is a good thing. Having a spouse is a good thing. Holding a job and supporting a family is a good thing. Attending church is a good thing. However, when those good things become god-things the individual is left less than satisfied. For when a good gift becomes the identity, significance and worth of an individual it will inevitably fail to fill the void only the Giver of the gift can satisfy. How can the gifts be more satisfying, and thus, significant than the Giver?
Herein is the essential problem with recovery. 'Recovery' means going back to a previous state of well-being. Within the context of addictions, recovery entails aquiring an assortment of good things (i.e. principles of living and a higher power) with the desired outcome of well-being. But if well-being is the goal, or in other words, if recovery is the goal, then aren't we simply moving people from bad idols to good idols? Instead of finding escape, relief, identity or satisfaction in a destructive substance, we are telling them to find worth, esteem, identity and satisfaction in less volitile activities such as work, family, marriage, education, God etc. Herein God is lowered to another good thing in one's life. It's an irony to call God, 'God' and yet esteem him as just another good thing which accasionally is bowed down to. That is the travesty of recovery! So what is God's solution...
Redemption! Redemption is the deliverance provided by God to those who turn from their sin and trust in the Savior. Initially there is the birthing of new affections wherein one now sees God to be ultimatly valued above all the idols of life. However, as one grows in the knowledge and grace of Jesus there is a constant theme of redemption that is played out. This progressive redemption is the constant deliverance from competing idolatry to worship the God who is supreme. Furthermore, redemption allows us to find deliverance from idolatry, to God providing significance, identity, worth and functionality in Christ. Thus, the void is filled! God is magnified through the redemption of his people and we are satisfied in Christ!