Focus on Recovery – Tim Holt

“Now when the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came’; and when it comes, it finds it unoccupied, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there.” -Matthew 12: 43 – 46

At HUM, we can’t just clean up men. We quip to the guys at times that this is not a spiritual Jiffy Lube where you get cleaned up and on you go. We must replace the addiction with something that brings greater life than the drugs, alcohol, or whatever else we seek to replace the empty space that God wants to fill.

Unfortunately, Tim was content on getting “cleaned out” but he stayed empty. The empty shell was welcome space for evil to return with more vengeance.

“I never thought I could function without using,” said Jimmy, another man, now in his fifth month at the mission. “I also never thought I could have any contentment.”

Then this weekend, Jimmy was out with guys from HUM – having fun on a Friday night . “We went bowling…crazy for me. Pizza and soda – just talking and laughing,” he said. “I never thought I could have this much fun without being high.”

“On Sunday, I saw my 4-year old daughter. She came running to me and gave me a big hug. It was the best I have ever felt. What a weekend!”

Jimmy is replacing the emptiness with the good things God has for him.

Pastor Gary Byers
Deputy Director