Redemption!
Feb 25th, 2010 by timmccalmont
I love watching the Olympics. This time, I have been able to watch more than most others and having been to Vancouver recently (the banner photo at the top of this page is one I took of Whislter-Blackcomb Mountains in 2008) makes this one most enjoyable. Anytime there is an Olympic Games, there are certain buzz words we hear that have a myriad of stories behind them. These winter games have given us the word “redemption.” Certain names have been used, from skaters to skiers to whole teams of people. However, one hangs with me, and it is Bodie Miller. Here is an athlete who has been called the greatest American Alpine skier of all time, but in the last Winter Games in Turin in 2006,
Bodie Miller in 2006 Winter Games
Our opportunity for redemption comes along in life for us all. Sometimes, personal failure helps us to learn about ourselves in new ways and new horizons appear. We have many in our own church family who have experienced a successful marriage after meltdowns the first time around. Others have failed in business, only to learn and later find what their niche is and go on the great things. I know one who had a huge catastrophe as a career law enforcement officer, only to find redemption in a successful career as an executive in a successful company.
But the Scriptures are full of stories of people who have found new life, real life, deep spiritual life with God in Christ. Take Zaccheus for example. You can read about him in Luke 19. Here was a successful tax machine, who bilked everyone of his kinsmen he could find and as a result had so friends, hated by all his townsfolk in Jericho. Then Jesus came to town and singled him out, ate with him in his own home and changed his life. It was dramatic too, as he returned the money he had taken from his people, four times over. Jesus said, “Today salvation has come to this house!” This was real redemption.
Have you experienced this kind of life change? Jesus promises this to us all. This is what true faith is about. It can change your life and lead to true redemption!