The peace of the cross....

A recent conversation with a friend reminded me of how easy it is to misunderstand the lives of others - to diminish their tribulations in favor of the pain we are feeling, to overlook their wounds while licking our own, to be blind to the barriers that hold them back from feeling the full grace and power of God's love in their life.  But each person is broken in some way; it is part of the human condition.  Affliction is inescapable.

Seasonal thoughts....

Everyone knows the life changing nature of the big events in life.  Birth, death, marriage, graduation, starting a new job, buying a new house - all present a fresh beginning, even as they hold an ending of some kind.  It is clear and obvious to everyone that the change has occurred, and it is expected that there will be a shift in your personal universe when they happen.

Redemptor Savior

Acts of redemption are all around us, happening continuously in a routine part of life.  When there is something we want, we redeem that item for the cash in our bank account.  When we make a mistake, especially one which inflicts pain on others, we want to redeem ourselves in their eyes.  We engage in acts of redemption on a daily, perhaps even hourly, basis, without ever considering the larger impact of what it is and what it means for our lives.

Redemption is a basic linchpin of the Christian faith.  In fact, it is such a fundamental part of our faith, we often toss the word around carelessly, thoughtlessly, without a deeper consideration for what it means, or how it comes about.  That Jesus died on the cross to redeem us from Satan's power is such a basic part of what we believe, it is easy to take for granted what he truly gave us.