Youth Essays from the United Methodist Review

These are the winners of the national Youth Alcohol Essay Contest sponsored by the Independent Committee on Alcohol and Drugs for United Methodists and The United Methodist Reporter. Reprinted by permission from The United Methodist Reporter, volume 18, number 14. (Click here for second essay.)

Why I Choose to Live My Life Alcohol-free
by John Boswell

As the football game approaches half-time, the television network takes a commercial break. Millions of viewers around the nation witness a bright and glamourous image flashing across their TV screens.

A handsome bodybuilding athlete is surrounded by a crowd of scantily clad, beautiful women, everyone with a pearly-white smile. The man coolly pops the lid off of a refreshing beer and sips it in style. Apparently this “impresses” the women and they flock around him like moths attracted to the porch light.

With messages like this flooding our minds, why shouldn’t my peers at school ask me if I would like a drink? Now it is up to me. I have to make an important decision. Only by God’s grace can I refuse with utmost confidence! My choice for my body, mind and spirit — alcohol-free!

To begin with, common sense lets one see the embarassing, disastrous and dangerous effects of alcohol on the body. Although the media portrays alcohol as having positive and glamorous results, reality is completely the opposite. Heavy drinkers appear far different from the muscular bodybuilders in the beer commericals. With unpleasant beer bellies and red noses, how can one truly believe that drinking impresses women? Once a person is drunk he/she can lose control of many bodily functions and vomit uncontrollably. Does this make someone look “cool” or more attractive in public? Even if you do not feel the immediate effects of drinking, alcohol can cause many later complications. Besides the headaches and nausea of hangovers, alcohol addiction can lead to severe liver, kidney and stomach damage. If a woman drinks while she is pregnant, problems may arise for her innocent unborn baby. With so many harmful results, why would anyone consider alcohol a fashion statement?

In addition, drinking has many terribly powerful effects on one’s control over his/her mind. Alcohol can seriously harm one’s nervous system and delay a person’s response time. Driving a vehicle while intoxicated is a serious crime; without sound judgement and clear reflexes, a drunk behind the wheel is a fatal accident just waiting to happen. Countless numbers of innocent souls have lost their lives as a result of driving under the influence of alcohol.

Over the past three years, over 4,000 people in Texas alone have been killed in accidents caused by drinking — about four deaths a day! This has affected me personally as both my uncle and great-grandfather were killed by drunk drivers.

Beside causing horrible deaths, alcohol induced loss of emotional control can lead to serious depression, loss of employment, and family problems. How can an employer trust anyone who might show up late to work after staying out at bars all night? In the same way, how can a wife and kids trust a man who spends more time and money on his addiction than on being home with his family?

Often when someone with a drinking problem loses a job and suffers family problems, he/she ties to overcome sorrow by finding happiness in drinking. Thus the vicious cycle continues.

More importantly, I do not believe alcohol is part of God’s will for my life. “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to wild living. Instead be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18) God’s words are completely clear: in order to choose the path of righteousness one should avoid alcohol. It is impossible to focus on both God and a drinking addiction. Thus, rather than be addicted to alcohol, why not be addicted to God?

The question is often asked, “Why can’t I take some wine for my health? I know that I am not and will not become addicted.” God also approaches this very clearly: “It is best not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else that causes problems for other followers of the Lord.” (Romans 14:21) Who would want to be responsible for leading a friend astray and perhaps causing him/her physical and emotional pain? God is the one true maker of all things and knows the dangers of alcohol. If my wish is to strive to be truly Christ-like, I must avoid the temptations of alcohol!

The next time a glamorous beer commercial appears on your favorite TV channel., remember the reality behind alcoholism. When you see the smiles and laughter of the beautiful women, remember the physical, mental and spiritual disasters hiding behinds these masks of popularity and “good times.” His awesome love and power, can help us resist the pull of the world to conform. I pray that our entire nation will come to realize the lies that have consumed our lives and will rise up to make a bold decision — to be alcohol free!

John Boswell is a member of Tyler Street United Methodist Church in Dallas. He won first place for high school.

Abstinence from Alcohol Brings Closer Walk with God
by Meg Matthews

You have come to a fork in the road. To the right there is a cross, and the the left, a party. Which would you take?

You probably want to go to the party, until you see alcohol, drugs and other inappropriate things. You instantly turn to the cross and see people praying and hugging. You start walking that way, taking your first steps toward a strong Christian life. Going toward the cross is my plan for a better life without alcohol. By doing so, I will have excellent physical health, avoid painful consequences, and have a close walk with God!

My physical health will be different because of making the decision not to drink. I will not ruin my liver, slow my heart and affect my brain. The Bible says to be clear-minded and self-controlled (1 Peter 4:7). When you become drunk and decide to drive, you put your life and other innocent lives in danger. With my alcohol-free plan, I will be responsible, trust-worthy, dependable, happy and active. I will not turn to alcohol as a solution to problems, but will turn to God’s word instead.

I will avoid the many consequences drinkers face. Peer pressure causes impulsive drinking, leading to premarital sex and other embarrassing situations. Once addicted, you are forced to go to a rehabilitation center to turn your life around. Drinking can cause you to lose your job, lose your driver’s license and lose your family. It distorts your thinking and your ability to maintain consciousness. In Genesis 9:20-27 the Bible talks about how Noah drank too much wine and was naked in his tent. He was embarrassed and mocked by his son, Ham, but Shem and Japheth were loyal and covered their father’s nakedness without looking.

By not drinking alcohol, I will grow closer to God and discover His special plan for my life. Drinking blocks your path to success and reaching your potential. In addition, you grieve the Holy Spirit. You do not share the light as a Christian witness, but become a stumbling block. 1 Corinthians 10:32 says, “Do not cause anyone to stumble.” I will not let alcohol make me say and do things I may regret, but will have joy that alcohol cannot give and grow stronger in my walk with God.

Alcohol ruins you physically, leads to harmful consequences and damages your relationship with God. Because I desire to be a strong Christian, I am committed to my plan for a better life without alcohol. “Wind is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.” (Proverbs 20"1)

Meg is a member of First United Methodist Church of Winter Park, FL. She won first place for junior high.