July 4

“...we must be convinced that Jesus Christ is a redeemer of our every circumstance as well as our sin.  Whatever He touches He changes and makes new.  Whatever He touches He redeems and makes useful.   Nothing is ever wasted in the presence of Jesus Christ.”  Eugenia Price, S.P.S., 7/4

Being a person who does not like to waste anything this is comforting to me.  I think we do forget that Jesus is more than just a Redeemer for our sin--He continues to redeem our sins as well as mistakes.  The mistakes may not even be our own.  We may suffer at the hand of another’s mistakes or sins.  Jesus can redeem these as well.  I like the imagery someone else has used of the hand in the glove when it comes to our part in the process.  As the glove we must do our part by being relaxed.  If the fingers of the glove are knotted up, Jesus, the Hand, can’t fit into the glove’s fingers.  He doesn’t have full use of us in order to do what He has to do to redeem the situation.  Then in our stubborn way we will blame God for our seemingly hopeless situation.  We mustn’t get stuck there for Jesus continues to be our Redeemer even then.  It’s never too late.  We just need to relax, be grateful, and enjoy what God has provided.  Then, let God have His way.

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”  Psalm 103:2-5