A devotional by Sammy Ombisa

Good afternoon brethren,

Working in addiction recovery has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. Just like other callings, as a servant of God, there are moments when one needs a deep reflection about their work and the impact it has on the people. I want to believe the majority of us in the addiction field are sometimes challenged with issues around culture, stigma, limited resources and sometimes heart breaking cases of overdose, death and relapses, which are at the same time part of the recovery process.

Are you like me, who has struggled and sometimes asked God some difficult questions?

Sometimes discouragement kicks in, but when a new day comes, I am back to it. In my own journey, I’ve had moments where I wanted conditions to be easier…where I wished the journey wasn’t so heavy.

But God kept reminding me: It is about the soul, not about my comfort.

And that leads us to today’s Scripture.

1. Jesus, the Light that never fails

Jesus said in John 8:12:

“I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

In addiction work, we step into many dark places:
• homes broken by substances
• children raised in violent environments
• clients carrying trauma
• communities with no services
• countries affected by war.

But Jesus reminds us:
You do not walk into darkness alone. His Light walks in with you.

And His Light is not fragile. The gospel says in John 1:5:

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

Not cannot, not might not – has not and will never overcome it.

Every time you show up – tired, afraid, overwhelmed, the Light of Christ steps into that space through you.

2. You are carriers of the light

Jesus says in Matthew 5:14:

“You are the light of the world.”

Because Christ lives in you, His light shines through you.

It shines in your counselling and recovery work.
It shines in your patience and prayer.
It shines in your love for those who keep falling and rising.
It shines when you pray for someone who doesn’t believe they can change.

Some of us are serving in places where hope feels scarce, but I want to remind us:

Your presence is a lamp that God Himself lit.

3. Strength in weakness

There are times in this ministry you will feel empty. There are moments where you may say, “I don’t have anything left to give.” God understands that, and He answers it through 2 Corinthians 12:9:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”

Your weakness is not a disqualification – it is an invitation. An invitation for Christ to take over. The throne of grace is open to us every day, which is why Hebrews 4:16 tells us:

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence…”

Confidence: not fear, not guilt. Because God knows exactly what it takes to serve in the spaces we serve in.

4. God will not forget your work

You may not always see the results.
Sometimes progress is slow.
Sometimes relapse feels like starting from zero.
Sometimes it feels like nobody sees the hours, the tears, the sacrifices.

But Hebrews 6:10 says: “God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him…”

Even when nobody else sees, God sees.
Every conversation.
Every prayer and empathy.
Every moment of compassion.
Every client you refuse to give up on.

5. Rising after many falls

One of the hardest things in addiction work is dealing with relapse. It can break your heart. However Scripture gives us a powerful word in Proverbs 24:16:

“Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.”

This is the hope of recovery: Falling is not the end, rising is always possible.

Our job is to stand beside people as they rise again and again…just as Christ has done for us.

6. A final encouragement

Jesus described His mission in Luke 4:18:

“…to proclaim freedom for the prisoners… to set the oppressed free…”

This is the very calling you are walking in. You are doing the work of Christ.
Every day. In hard places. In uncomfortable spaces.
In situations where only grace keeps you standing.

So today, let me encourage you:
Do not grow weary.
Do not lose heart.
Do not underestimate the light you carry.

As Galatians 6:9 says: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest…”

The Light of Christ is in you.
It goes before you.
It strengthens you.
And it will never be overcome.

Amen

Sammy Ombisa

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