redemption and misperception
Today my thoughts are simple and somber. Today I hurt for friends. As I hurt I can’t help but feel like something is broken. And I can’t help but admit that I have participated in the brokenness.
You see, for most of my life; (the years I’ve tried to dedicate to following Jesus), I have been persuaded and influenced by sermons, and interactions, and leader meetings and ministry philosophies. I have been told time and time again that “those on the ‘outside’ looking in are most in need of redemption.” First, let me affirm that there are not many things greater than witnessing someone experience God’s love for the first time, or after a difficult season where He seemed distant and estranged. So please hear me out before you wrongly assume that I don’t think redemption for those who have been distant from God is beautiful. I just have some really honest questions….
So, here goes…..as we (me included) have trucked along, as we (me included) have narrowed the focus to “reach more”, I can’t help but wonder if we have gained a misperception along the way. I can’t help but wonder if we (me included) have lost touch with our own need for continued and ongoing redemption. I can’t help but wonder if we (me included) leave things unredeemed in our own souls and instead live in pursuit of a “holy calling” to redeem others. Honestly, it’s just very often easier that way.
“Here let me help you be redeemed because then I don’t have to deal with my own need to become someone new, someone different, someone set apart.” What if the redemption of other people always includes the ongoing redemption of ourselves? What if it is IMPOSSIBLE to separate the two? What if as we ourselves participate in the process of being redeemed that it’s actually our process, and who it is we are becoming, and how we handle different situations and relationships that speaks louder than any alter call, sermon, or perfectly strategized event. It’s time for us (me included) to part ways with the misconception that redemption is only for those on the outside. There is much to be redeemed within us, within the Church.
I’ve been learning about this recently as well, how Christians in the church need to minister to themselves constantly as they do to others outside the Church. =)
Yes. I have also had a stirring in my heart about how we must continue to be consistent with our actions and have them align with the gospel. May we be redeemed every day and may we have the zeal of a “new” Christian: being intentional and totally head over heals for the Lord each day.
HOLY SNOT DUDE! You are once heck of a writer and this speaks so loud to me! Thanks for sharing….I needed to hear this tonight and you put it so eloquently!
