Redemption. There is so much for me to learn about this word. For all of my life, I’ve only thought of this word in the context of Jesus has redeemed me (& you if you choose/have chosen to accept his gift of Salvation).
According to the online Merriam-Webster Dictionary.com:
- REDEMPTION (noun)
- the act, process, or instance of redeeming; to redeem
- REDEEM (verb)
- to buy back;
- to free from what distresses or harms;
- to change for the better;
- to repair, restore;
- to atone for.
According to Dictionary.com:
- REDEMPTION (noun)
- an act of redeeming or atoning for a fault of mistake, or the state of being redeemed;
- deliverance, rescue;
- Theology. deliverance from sin, salvation;
- atonement for guilt.
- REDEEM (verb)
- to buy back, clear by payment;
- to recover;
- to exhange;
- to convert;
- to make up for, make amends for;
- to obtain the release or restoration of, as from captivity – by paying a ransom;
- Theology. to deliver from sin & its consequences by means of a sacrifice offered for the sinner.
However, this year it has become apparent to me the word is not singluarily about Jesus redeeming me from my sins. It can be used in other ways as well. While it is most importantly because of Jesus’ death for my sins & His conquering death with His resurrection from the dead, I am redeemed (You can be too.) – I am also in “the state of being redeemed”.
As I mentioned in my last post, this year has held A LOT of changes. When I wrote the post in January, I still had all the unknowns ahead of me. Now the changes have been made and I’m starting to process. I was, and still am, EAGER to see what God has in store, but I need to stop, ponder, and reflect on how He is redeeming what I’ve always thought. Once again, it is time for 31 Days, so I’m going to write about the many ways I am in “the state of being redeemed” by my Father.
As I mentioned last October, while I want to love October, I’ve struggled with this month for years. For a variety of reasons, I have a HARD time letting September go and letting October start. This year, I’ll have just moved 3,200 miles after living in the same place for the last 19 years. I know I need the mental space to get caught up on school and I’m choosing to extend myself the grace – in advance – to start on Monday, October 8th.
This month, I’m going to be studying & reflecting on God’s redemption in all parts of my life. I will be writing with the Write 31 Days group about Redemption in Life & Business.