Identity Tags
Instead of using poker chips, the Thrive community celebrates milestones in Christ-Centered Healthy Living with ID Tags that mark our continuous days of victory. Unlike most traditional recovery programs that emphasize only “days of continuous sobriety,” Thrive recognizes that, like salvation, it is the decision that is to be celebrated and not always the number of days of walking in perfection. As Christians, we all know that walking in perfection does not occur following salvation. All sin and fall short of the glory of God. But following the decision of salvation, Paul no longer refers to us as sinners because Christ has made us saints. In his second letter to the Corinthian church he said if any man is in Christ he is a new creature. All old things and ways have passed away.
Therefore, participants begin with a “Surrender Tag.” It marks the decision to believe by faith that God will deliver us to victory over our battles. We celebrate the decision to give it (whatever it is) over to God, to let Him do the work in us and to no longer rely solely on our own efforts (works) any longer.
We also celebrate the anniversary dates of our decision to commit to the process. Road to Victory Chips are celebrated in large group or at the discretion of the recipient. 1 year, 18 months, 2 years, 3 years… etc. When appropriate and possible, recipients are invited to briefly share a little about their journey to encourage others. Those participants who have come from AA, CR, Al-Anon, and other recovery program participants may celebrate their anniversaries with us as well.
A word about Tags and Chips
We want to celebrate the number of consecutive days of victory. These mementos mark our accomplishments so that we have tangible evidence of our progress on the road to victory.
Too often, the traditional chip ceremony requires participants to identify with their failures and not their successes. Moments of failure happen but it does not mean we have to start over from the beginning. We get to start over from where we are with more experience and the proof what victory we have achieved. Failure fosters shame and the shame fosters feelings of hopelessness. Hopelessness from repeated failure makes us quit trying.
The goal of our ID tags and chips is to serve as a reminder of the successful days we have had since our decision and to show us that our successes far outnumber the few times we may have slipped. Remember that, in most cases, every day prior to our decision was marked by failure.
It is also important that we recognize that it is NOT a single issue that we are determined to change in our behavior. Yes, absolute sobriety is incredibly important for those in addiction and should be emphasized and required. But if drunkenness is the symptom and not the cause, then focusing on the drinking behavior is like treating high blood pressure while allowing the patient to bleed. Our overall success marked by a sum of the improvements that we have made and not by our perfect living in one specific area. Change is a process not an event.
2 Corinthians 3:18-19 “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
