The Grand Substitute

People who abuse alcohol and drugs normally have turned to this habit looking for relief from pain and boredom in their lives. We know that Jesus is a grand substitute for this relief.

In the 1970's, I wrote a song about this subject. The words went something like this:

Taking my time,
It don't come easy.
Taking my time,
Feeling free.
I'm taking my time,
Writing songs that got no rhyme.
Feeling like another hit
Will make it all right.

Looking for a place to run.
I'm looking for a place to hide.
Praying for a miracle
Wishing for a southbound Greyhound
Yesterday seems so long ago,
Feeling like another hit
Will make it all right.

When Carole and I arrived at Adamsville, part of what drew us there was the music. What an amazing choir. The musicians were fabulous; Rene' on piano, Steve on drums, Dave on guitar, Lynne on organ, and Mike on bass. They were so talented. After we were saved and joined the Church, I was talking with Steve and Mike one Sunday about jamming with them on the guitar. They had heard from Harold that I played the guitar.

So, the next week I indeed brought my guitar to jam and jam we did. It was so exciting. They have not been able to get me out of there ever since. We ended up writing a lot of our on music and playing at different functions. I reached back in my past for one song. Jesus can do all things for you and bring you out of despair when drugs and alcohol cannot. The words now read:

Taking my time
You know it comes so easy.
Taking my time,
Feeling free.
I'm taking my time
Singing songs of victory.
With Jesus in my life
Has made it all right.

I was looking for a place to run.
I was looking for a place to hide.
Praying for a miracle,
Looking for something to change in my life.
I was thinking about the days,
When it all went wrong,
But with Jesus in my life,
It's been oh so wonderful.

How many days did I suffer?
Not knowing which way to turn.
Then I found Jesus,
The answer to my troubles.
He took away the pain and he set me free.

I'm taking my time
You know it comes so easy.
Taking my time,
Feeling free.
I'm taking my time
Writing words of victory.
With Jesus in my life
Has made oh so wonderful.

I think I'll sing it this Sunday. Praise God.

Brad Warren