By Jana Greene
Addiction can cut a wide path of destruction….career, reputation, relationships. The news story about Randy Travis this week reminded me just how wide that path can be.
Mr. Travis has sold more than 20 million records during his country music career. According to his official website, he has seven Grammy Awards, 10 Academy of Country Music Association statuettes, 10 American Music Awards, seven Music City News Awards, five Country Music Association honors and eight Dove Awards from the Gospel Music Association to his credit.
Yes, Gospel as in the “good news” of John 3:16: that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, Jesus Christ. And whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.
Mr. Travis was also an actor, having starred in Hallmark Channel movies and Christmas specials, and was known to his friends for having a deep abiding love for his wife and manager of many years, Elizabeth.
In short, he seemed to “have it all”. But where addiction is concerned, having a lot means having a lot to lose.
Earlier this week, an incident in which Mr. Travis was charged with driving while intoxicated made national headlines. He had crashed his car was allegedly yelling threats at police – naked – when they arrived at the scene. In his mug shot, he appears beaten, looking at the camera with a menacing glower – not at all the shy, lanky superstar represented by his public image.
Addiction has a way of doing that, too: bringing the darkest aspects of a person into the public eye. If Mr. Travis suffers and addiction to alcohol, he might continue to deteriorate until he commits to sobriety.
According to the CNN story that ran on August 8th, 2012, he was also arresting for a similar offense back in February of this year.
“I apologize for what resulted following an evening of celebrating the Super Bowl,” he stated after the February episode. “I’m committed to being responsible and accountable, and apologize for my actions.”
He was sorry – he had been celebrating the Superbowl – and no doubt embarrassed about the incident.
In the past couple of years, Mr. Travis is reported to have been involved in messy court proceedings with his ex-wife of 19 years, Elizabeth (who also acted as his Manager for over three decades) until as she put it: Mr. Travis made impossible to do her job. . This most recent DUI suggests that Mr. Travis’s disease is worsening; that he is losing control
Career, reputation, relationships – all take a hit as addictions spiral.
The mess he is going through now seems impossible to overcome…except that all things are possible through Jesus Christ. I cannot pretend to know the heart of Mr. Travis, but if he is a Christian (as his Gospel music might indicate) he already has what it takes to walk in recovery. He has already accepted that he is not his own Higher Power.
Being broken and recognizing that you are not God – those two things make a person an excellent candidate for the recovery life.
There is a special shame in being a Christian and being an addict – and yes, it is possible to be both. It may be true that Christians shouldn’t battle addictions, that they are free through grace to live a life of sobriety. It is also true that people who truly love the Lord walk around in human flesh. They have struggles and make mistakes, and are not immune to consequences. They are – like others – their own worst enemies at times, powerless against sin, yet stunned when faced with the wide path of destruction it leaves.
Being free to walk into grace requires that one step into surrender. Salvation grace is applicable to recovery from addiction; it is allowing God into our darkest places and accepting that he so loved us that he sent his only son to die for us.
He had everything to lose, and gave it up so that this alcoholic can live free to tell others that they can, too.
Mr. Travis has lost a lot, but he still has everlasting life. He still has God, who SO loved him that he gave his only son.
Musings of a Gypsy Soul 
Great post Jana! How sad that celebrities in the spotlight for many reason, have issue with addictions? Being so openly exposed, every move they make is out there for scrutiny. Sad as I think it makes it tougher for these people to finally hit a bottom, that will bring them to their knees, with the grace of God , and the support of an AA group. This is not a disease that you can take care of alone.
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I agree, Stevie…I think it is harder for them when they are in the public eye. But what great potential they have for helping others when they DO find and keep sobriety! God bless you 🙂
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