One of my new favorite concepts to {almost} grasp about God...to redeem something.

Redeem:

To recover ownership of by paying a specified sum.
To pay off.
To turn in and receive something in exchange.
To fulfill.
To convert into cash.
To set free; rescue or ransom.
To save from a state of sinfulness and its consequences.
To make up for.
To restore the honor, worth, or reputation of.

One of my favorite ways to SEE this is currently in our "old dollar general" building we have been allowed to "redeem". This well-worn, grungy, passed down, forgotten, abandoned, in-need-of-much-love building is now being redeemed, not just because it is becoming a space for the church to meet but because it is being recovered, converted, restored into a useable, worth-while, place of value.

Watching the simple lease being signed gave me hope. Hope that there will be one less vacant building in a community we are praying flourishes. Seeing a group of people see this space as something other than its past with excitement about its potential is intoxicating. Being a part of this group who now feels this place is worth investing in, working on, and helping transform, shows me a glimpse of what Christ has done for me.

I was {and still am} a worn, grungy, passed down, forgotten, abandoned, in-need-of-love person. I have been redeemed, not just for a ticket into heaven one day but for now, because I am recovered from the grime; converted and restored into someone usable, worth-while and given value; not because of my decision to become a bond-servant of Jesus but because He chose to redeem me.

Know Jesus came because He loves us in our brokenness, not because we are "worth dying for" but because we are a creation of THE Creator to whom we owe all praise. We can now be intoxicated by His desire to give God the glory through giving us new potential. Covered by His robe of righteousness, I am now being invested in, worked on, and transformed!

Do you know the life change that can only be found in being redeemed by the only One who can redeem, pay in full, recover God's ownership of us by paying a specified sum- DEATH of a sinless person who has power OVER Death. That is Easter. THAT is the ultimate Redemption.