I had a conversation with a friend a few weeks back and it’s really been sticking with me so I’m gonna tell you about it, and what I’ve been learning from it 🙂
Essentially, I was confiding in this friend, and telling them about some of the trials I was facing; some heartache I was processing. I sent a (very) long message, and then sent a shorter one that just said “Redemption feels close.”
And my friend responded back in the best way possible, and what he said really made me think about this redemption we have because of Jesus… He said “Your redemption is here. Always has been.” Which had so much meaning in the moment, but the more I have thought about those words, how redemption is here, I have become even more gracious and in awe of God. Wherever “here” is for me, for you — over and over and over again, daily we are redeemed. A redemption, a freedom we could not ever earn… one that was freely given by our Savior.
Ephesians 1:7 says this
NIV – “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”
NLT – “He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.”
MSG – “Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we’re a free people — free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free!”
I included a few different translations, half because I just couldn’t choose which one to use, and half because they each express the same truth in a kinda different way. Personally, my favorite of the 3 is the Message version. We are abundantly free. Abundant = plenty. More than enough. The grace and redemption we have is abundant. Nothing we have ever done, or will do, could make it any more or less abundant. It covers everything; past, present, and future. It’s there for good.
So why did I say “redemption feels close.” when it has already been given to me? (There’s even scripture backing it up!) I think because too often I feel like I don’t measure up. I have to clean myself up and be “better” before I can truly be redeemed. Do you ever feel that way? Like you’re just waiting for this one thing to happen… or for this one situation to change just a liiittle bit more… and then you’ll be set free.
Me too, friend. Been there. Recently.
It took having multiple people who I trust look me in the eyes and tell me just how free I truly am… and then having to unwrap it and pray into it even more on my own, to even begin to grasp the freedom that comes with giving your life to Jesus. All of the chaos and the mess, and the times down the road when you’re gonna mess up and begin to wonder if His grace still covers THAT.
It does.
Redemption is here.
Please feel free to email me prayer requests, or text me if you have my number. I would love to *intentionally* pray for you through whatever you are walking through in this season.
All of my love.
-E
