I Celebrate Redemption

That’s not fair!

Having grown up as the youngest child in my family, these words were all too often aimed at my parents so that I could appropriately express my disapproval for why my older brother received benefits that I was not yet able to enjoy.  Important benefits such as being able to stay up until 10:30 when my bed time was 10.  Or getting to ride his bike around the neighborhood without parental supervision when I was still using training-wheels.  And no matter how persistently I tried to convince mom and dad of how the treatment my brother received wasn’t fair, they would always answer my dilemma with a particular phrase:  “Life’s not fair.”

At the time I thought this was just a typical parent cop out answer.  You know, answers and phrases like:  Because I said so; Money doesn’t grow on trees; If so and so jumped off a bridge, would you?; or, my personal favorite, One day, God willing, you’ll have one JUST like you.  At the time I didn’t realize how much truth there was in the phrase “Life’s not fair.”

As I journey along this road towards recovery, I am recognizing more and more this unfair, sinful world in which we live.  Life is full of unjust pain.  People endure abuse.  Children suffer from their parents’ divorce.  Death occurs to the least expected.  Addictions are formed without realizing the lifelong consequences that follow.  Day in and day out people battle their hurts, hang-ups, and habits.  Some days are completed victoriously and with ease!  Other days, however, are met with continuous struggle and strife.  The weight of the world can really bog us down and make us feel completely worn.

 
The artist Tenth Avenue North describes in their song Worn a feeling which many in recovery can relate. Feelings of a heavy heart, a soul crushed by the world, hopeless despair, losing the will to fight, empty prayers, and the desperate longing for the death inside to be reborn. Thankfully we have a Savior who provides redemption to a hopeless world! It may seem like the enemy of this world, Satan, is on a dominating streak over the matters of our heart, but (SPOILER ALERT) God wins in the end! I don’t know about you, but I’m incredibly thankful I’m on the winning team! Join us this Friday night to learn how you can also join that winning team. I look forward to seeing you there!

Rescue me from my enemies, Lord; I run to you to hide me.  Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.  May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.  For the glory of your name, O Lord, preserve my life.  Because of your faithfulness, bring me out of this distress.

Psalm 143:9-11 (NLT)

Grateful Believer,
Bryant