I Guess I'm Rich | By David Attebery, Worship Leader

Singer/Songwriter Rich Mullins (who is now with the Lord) tells the story of sitting in a train station in Germany with his best friend, “Beaker,” after being in Amsterdam. In Amsterdam he became keenly and uncomfortably aware that he was just as susceptible to sin then as he was when he was much younger – even after many years of being a Christian.  While sitting in the train station – assuming no one would understand what they were saying - Rich and Beaker were talking in explicit detail about the nature of their temptations and struggles, when a stranger sitting behind them said, “Hey, aren’t you Rich Mullins?!”

Not thinking someone would recognize him in Germany, or pay attention to his and Beaker’s conversation, Rich said that he then had to think back to see whether he wanted to be “Rich Mullins” or not. As he retraced his conversation he concluded, “I must be Rich Mullins.” There was no getting around who he was.  No pretending he was perfect.  He had to look at himself and acknowledge the truth about who he was, whether he liked what he saw or not - and no matter what the music fan behind him thought after potentially overhearing some blatant honesty between two friends.

This story gets to the heart of every person’s struggle. Can we be honest about who we are? And can we accept that we are still loved in light of that knowledge?  Jesus can handle it all - the good and the bad!  He listens in as we confess our sins one to another and pray for each other.  Then, He leans into the conversation, calls us by name (NOT “calls us names”) and heals us.  Aren’t you  thankful for the ministry of Celebrate Recovery that provides an atmosphere where we can be honest and loved?!  That atmosphere can happen anywhere, anytime.  Initiate it with someone this week if you haven’t been doing so lately - you can do it!

If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you." Psalm 139:11-12


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