Out of mind, in grace.

The mind can be like a prison at times. Having a recollection of all the problems, and not the solutions. Among many coping mechanism, drinking alcohol is a common thing some folks go do to try keeping their minds at bay as much as possible.

“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:18-20)

“When David returned home to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, going around half-naked in full view of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!”

David said to Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the Lord’s people Israel—I will celebrate before the Lord. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor.” (2 Samuel 6:20-22)

Being intoxicated with the Holy Spirit is the most wonderful thing ever. It truly sets our mind at bay. All of our problems suddenly become like nothing. Yet, naturally it’s the most absurd thing ever. Surprising others with your bursts of joy for the work of God through Christ never sits right with every body. Some had expected you to compose yourself. Some had expected you to say exactly what they wanted to hear. And others had wanted you to say it or do it in a way they had expected. But unexpectedly, the joy of Christ overwhelms you and causes you to start acting like a drunk who’s rejoicing for no actual natural reason.

Out of our mind, in grace of our Lord.

Shame for us. Glory for the Lord.

John the Apostle recorded of John the Baptist,
“He [Christ Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30)

And Paul laid it clear to the believers at Corinth:

“For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart. For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:12-21)

For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you.