Editorial Archives Fall 2007- A
Photo of Loch Ness by Dana and Evelyn Higbee 2007
Have you felt lately like whatever your life was supposed to be, you missed it? Sometimes we all stand in front of the mirror and the realization hits us that we have made poor choices and completely missed any hope of completing a destiny. As we discuss that feeling, look at the photo on this page of Loch Ness in Scotland, and note the rainbow arching across the top of the water. Our promises are not always where we think they should be, sometimes they are right in front of us.
Loch Ness is the infamous site of "Nesse", the monster of Scottish folklore. Just because she is famous doesn't mean she's the only one. Most of the lakes in the world that are extremely deep have interesting stories associated with them. Our lives are often similar. Those of us who love to seek the depths of God will always encounter problems. There is an enemy of our souls who delights to obstruct us from our destinies. There are also "monsters" we must remove from our lives in the quest for deeper relationship to Christ.
Have you made any stupid mistakes in your life? Maybe you squandered money. Maybe you failed to build hedges for your family. Maybe you did some accidental things or picked the wrong people to help you. Maybe your past is always catching up to you. Are you beyond redemption? Before you answer that, let's define "redemption."
Redemption is the act of purchasing freedom or separation from consequences, to be loosed away from a situation. (The words "geullah" or "peduth" or "pidyon" in Hebrew; "apolutrosis" and "lutrosis" in Greek). If you are redeemed, someone has paid to get you out of the situation you are in. Jesus paid with His life for anyone who receives Him to be freed from the stupid mistakes we have made in our lives, intentional or not.
Now if you are a serial killer, you can be redeemed, but you will likely face the death sentence or life in prison regardless of whether or not you move toward Christ. If you are an alcoholic and come to Christ, but never stop drinking, the consequences will kill your body even if in His mercy Christ takes your soul to be with Him. In other words, we need to live as redeemed people, and not as worldly ones. It's our actions and life fruits that tell others who we are. James said it best- "I'll show you my faith by my works."
If you are a person who has made some very stupid mistakes (personal experience talking) and feel as if no matter what you do you always do it wrong, there is hope. "If you need wisdom -- if you want to know what God wants you to do-- ask Him, and He will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking. But when you ask Him, be sure that you really expect Him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind." James 1:5 NLT
Can you face that mirror now and be honest with yourself and God...and ask for wisdom? Our hope is in Christ for not only any destiny we may have, but for simple faith to live day by day. Beating yourself up over your past blunders will not get you the redemption you need to continue. But asking God for help will. The rainbow of promise in your life may not be written in the sky above you. It may be hidden in the pathway you are on right now. It may be hiding along the top of a lake full of monsters that you must traverse to overcome and win the victory.
"Nesse" is crypto-zoological, but our monsters are not. We must trust the Lord to redeem us not only from our circumstances, but our inner monsters that get us in trouble. If we will take that simple step of faith to ask for help, He will respond with an abundance of love and mercy.