Redeemed

 

Abandoned.

Dumped.

Alone.

Scared.

Hungry.

Discarded.

Dirty.

All adjectives to describe JoJo when he was found.  They describe us too, don't you think?

We live our lives abandoned by people who used to love us.  Friends dump us when we no longer meet their expectations.  We are alone in a world that is full of people.  We are scared, hungry for affection.  We are tossed aside - discarded - because we don't fit in.  We are dirty with sin and shame.

JoJo was redeemed.  On a bright August day, he was found and rescued.  He was cleaned up and given a home.  He was fed and loved.  

So it is when Jesus came to redeem us.

He knew we couldn't do it on our own.  We needed a savior.  Someone to pick us up, dust us off, wash us clean. 

I sit here with this kitten on my lap, curled up and purring.  He's happy, he's secure.  He doesn't realize the gift that was given to him.  He just knows he has found a forever home with people who love him.  

Jesus has given us a forever home too.  Yet so many of us don't realize it.  We go about our lives, and sometimes we fail to recognize the gift we've been given.  Jesus died on the cross to rescue us, to redeem us, to save us from the pit of despair we are in.  We live our lives as if we are promised tomorrow.  We wait to tell someone we love them or miss them, because we think we have more time.  There are so many things we put off for "another day", when today is the day we have been given.  We think we will live for God tomorrow, but today we will stay in the mud and dirt of our sin - thinking we have time.  God sent his only son to die on the cross for us, to give us an eternal home.  Yet unlike JoJo, who has embraced his new identity, we turn our backs to it because we are selfish and self-centered.  We want to live in our sin and ask God to forgive us "tomorrow", once we are done having our fun.

Take a lesson from JoJo.  Embrace the gift that is given.  Accept the hand extended to you - the love that is poured out.  Climb into the lap of Jesus and curl up - rest in His loving embrace.  Once you feel His arms around you, you will begin to purr inside - happy, content, safe, secure, cleansed...

REDEEMED.