“For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11
Jesus our Savior, Redeemer - He came to us as the baby in the manger.
What does that mean for us in the events of our life?
I used to think that redemption meant Jesus will one day redeem all that that I have gone through and am walking through, to one day be beautiful and good and right. It will look like broken relationships restored and made perfect and, well I guess, the happily ever after story.
For many of us it can be the beautiful Christmas card picture of family enjoying one another, laughter and love. Everything is merry and bright.
This was me looking to the outcome of my circumstances to affirm that I am seen, loved, and accepted. Does what I am going through truly matter to God?
When the holidays roll around we can dream this even more so and feel the lack deeply.
What about you? What’s your story? Were you like me looking for the good to one day show up by your dream circumstances suddenly appearing.
Experiencing Jesus’s redemption is walking in God’s grace and acceptance in the middle of the brokenness of my circumstances. He affirms that I am loved, accepted and secure because He is the source, not what life is like for me. In Christ I am provided for, seen, safe, secure, loved, and fully known. He is acquainted with my longings.
This does not mean that I will not feel painful emotions. Redemption is not found in God making my story beautiful, it’s me resting in the secure love of the Father as he provides the abundance of grace for me in the brokenness of my circumstances. Second Corinthians 12:9,10, reminds me that His grace is sufficient for me.
It is not the circumstances that are changed, it will be me. He transforms me! Romans 8:28, 29 Let the striving cease, and rest in His sufficiency.
The suffering has no time limit, but the suffering will never outweigh the abundant comfort He provides in Christ.
The gift is His grace to provide all that is needed for all I am experiencing.
“For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.” (2 Corinthians 1:5)
Oh, yes, I can still desire all to be made right. But, I am alright even when things aren't right.