Redemption is a necessary phenomenon that needs to occur in all of our lives. Redemption can range from things of great magnitude (like our faith), all the way to tedious daily things (such as small arguments). When we think about it, the only difference between a Christian and a non-Christian is whether one has been redeemed or not. Jesus died to redeem (articulate it how you will) us of our sin. We receive this redemption by placing our faith in Him. But on a smaller scale, what does redemption look like in our daily lives that is applicable?
Micah 7:8- “Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy; though I have fallen, I will rise; though I sit in darkness, the Lord is my light.”
In regard to Micah 7:8, I have ‘fallen’ a lot in my life. But the Lord always redeems me where I can stand back up. Just recently I was frustrated and said some hurtful things I should not have to someone close to me, and for that the situation needed to be redeemed. Looking back in life, so many things I have been ashamed of that I wish I could re-do. Don’t get me wrong I don’t live in shame and guilt today, but I have been ashamed of things that I have done in my past. I’m ashamed I struggled with drinking, and eventually got a DUI when I was known as the Christian example amongst a lot of my friend groups. I’m ashamed of people I have told about Jesus, but then proceeded to be hypocritical with my actions. I’m ashamed of girls I have flirted with, knowing I only had selfish intentions. The list goes on and on. Also, I’m ashamed of many times where I had opportunities in life to really excel and flourish; but instead I screwed it up because of laziness, selfishness, or just plain stupidity.
Romans 8:28- “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Here in Thailand at the Sending Hope Women’s home, every story is one of redemption. The orphans are selected from broken homes with either one or both parents absent. They come here for free, to be raised and nurtured. While they are here they learn about Jesus and how He has a plan for them. They are taught to forgive their family as Jesus would and the healing process begins in their hearts. By the time these girls reach 18 they know the bible inside and out, are healed of brokenness and having joy, and they know 3 languages (English being one). They are prepared to go out into the world as disciples of Christ. In an area where street kids an orphans get taken to be in the sex-trafficking industry, these girls are really being redeemed in the truest since of the word.
It is nice to know that God can redeem even the darkest of situations and darkest areas of our lives and use them for His Glory. Not that we go sinning so we can have a great redemption story, that would be just foolish. I’m not going to willfully sin so I can “have a cool story”. Or I’m not going to say “I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life, but I wouldn’t change any of them because of where I am now.” I’m not going to willingly disobey and sin against the living God… just because?? However, if and when we do sin, it is encouraging to know our God is good and strong enough to turn even the worst of situations into ones that give life.
Psalms 139:23-24 – “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting”
What needs to be redeemed in your life?
Are there broken dreams, hopes, aspirations that your heart needs to heal over? Are there relationships/friendships that need redeeming? Or are there just screw ups in your life that you are ashamed of and you need personal redemption to get beyond the guilt and grief. And ultimately, do you need to just get alone with God and repent of where your life and heart are currently? Knowing that you don’t love Jesus like you once did, knowing you don’t seek Him like you have before?
“I don’t have any regrets” is a statement that typically is made from a place of defensiveness or pride, or just from a perspective that you are operating in to adhere to an ideology of apathy (simply put, I don’t care what anyone else thinks… which is false). Dont get caught up on shame or pity, what I’m asking is what can we evaluate in our lives that we need to ask the Lord to give us healing/redemption in?
Some might say, “well that’s just a lost cause”, “I don’t care about that anymore”… or “I’ve already burned that bridge”. If that’s the case, just humble yourself and seek redemption in that area anyway knowing the Lord wants you to. Also knowing that nothing is too big or too broken to be redeemed by our God.
“if the Lord is for us, who can stand against us”?
Once again, what areas in our lives need to be redeemed according to the Lord’s will? And maybe, just maybe we can help someone else walk through this redemption process as well.
