Hungry for Restoration
We all need redeeming. The further you get on your journey in this life, the more you see the need for it. Brokenness is all around. It's in families, it's in churches, it's in bodies and friendships and histories. No matter how good your life is, there are parts of it that need redemption, becuase there are parts of it that are missing Jesus.
That's the bit we're taught in Sunday school, in grandparents laps and in storybooks about Jesus. That we all need His redemption. What's not so often taught and shared, is what redemption looks like. And I don't know about you, but I'm the kind of person who likes to know how things work. It can get me in trouble sometimes, peeking behind the curtain and asking questions behind the scenes. Tell me how and I'll agree with the why. And because God knows this about me, and maybe even purposefully planted it in me, when I ask Him why He often gives me the how. His love is sweet like that. Rest assured, Beloved, God is gracious enough to answer the question you didn't ask.
So, how does redemption work? The word redeem literally means to buy back. It's about paying a debt, trading good for bad. That's what the world would say. But we are not people of this world, Amen? We're kingdom folk. So what is heaven's definition of redemption? What does the kingdom of God say? Open your bible in the middle and flip back a bit to Job 42. It's the end of this man's story, after all the drama and loss and persecution. How does God redeem Job's story?
God restored his fortune—and then doubled it! - Job 42:10
Every dollar, every life and every year that the enemy stole, God gave him back double. Job lived to see 4 generations of his family, and each of them received a large inheritance. I believe that word inheritance refers to not only the coins in their pocket but the wealth of faith and wisdom that God restored to Job. And this isn't just Job's story. It's included in scripture because it's for us too. This response of God is echoed in Joel 2 - read this imagining that it is a personal letter from God to you, Him speaking over every circumstance in your life and body that needs redemption. This is your word. Take it to heart.
“Be glad, O children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God, for he has given the early rain for your vindication; he has poured down for you abundant rain, the early and the latter rain, as before.
The threshing floors shall be full of grain; the vats shall overflow with wine and oil. I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you.
You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame. You shall know that I am in the midst of (your name here), and that I am the Lord your God and there is none else. And my people shall never again be put to shame. - Joel 2:23-27
It's the same promise, double what was stolen. Overflowing vats, plenty of food and a wondrous God. I can testify that this is true, I've seen it in my own life. This isn't just a story, this is who God is. The fullness of His redemption will surprise you. What God redeems He restores, and what God restores He multiplies. When you understand the character of God, this kind of heavenly math makes perfect sense, because grace is always included in the equation.
God is hungry to bring His redemption and restoration into our lives. He's doing it individually and corporately right now, right where you are. Lean in to it. Agree with him, set your own agenda aside and start asking Him about it. He'd love to tell you more.
