Redeemer Lives
People depend on you—your friends, family, co-workers. They know you are reliable so they lean on you and ask for your help and you almost always say "yes." Why? Because you love them.
But some days the weight of the world on your shoulders is just too much to bare.
Do you ever have days the stresses, challenges, and complications of life rear their ugliness, and long before the day is through you feel overwhelmed and defeated? Do you ever have days when the expectations are completely overwhelming, and you can't imagine meeting them all? Do you ever have a string of days like this?
Of course you do. On these dark, sometimes depressing days, we need redemption. We need to know that our burden can be lifted and that comfort awaits us.
Quite simply, Jesus is our Redeemer. What does that mean? A redeemer is one who frees us from our distress and harm. A redeemer releases us from captivity.
In the synagogue of his hometown of Nazareth, Jesus proclaimed himself Redeemer through the words of Isaiah:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. (Luke 4:18-19 NRSV)
You may also take comfort in Scott Soper's I Know That My Redeemer Lives. Both the melody and the lyrics can lift your heart and help you see a way to lighten your burden. These lyrics are particularly meaningful:
I know that my redeemer lives
The one who calls me home
I long to see God face to face
To see with my own eyes.
I know that my redeemer lives, that I shall rise again.
A word of caution. Redemption does not free us from the consequences of our choices. If you are overcommitted, then the dark, burdensome days will soon return. Are there areas of your life where you need to say "no" instead of "yes?"
Another word of caution. If you have strung together a number of burdensome days and all you can see is darkness, perhaps it's time to find help. Find someone—a spiritual director, friend, counselor—who can walk with you through the darkness and help you find some light.
And remember to pray.
Jesus, I take comfort in you, my redeemer. Because you live, because you are graciously present in my life, because you call me home, I know that I shall rise again. Amen.
More Links on Redemption:
Spirit Compass reflections are developed in partnership
with the Center for Ministry Development.