Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration
In my reading time I came across some literature that said the bible is basically broken down into four acts. These acts are at the title of this devotional. I want to briefly go through each of the four because I really felt Christ speaking to me. First is creation and in this we understand that everything started here. This means at this point of the story God knew he was going to create you. You were apart of His life way before you even existed. One of the hardest things to comprehend is that he also knew the choices we were going to make in our lives, and for that he already had a plan in place for each of our decisions that took us off the path to put us back on. He created us in his image so that we could return the love he gave to us and so we could also share it others. Secondly, came the fall and I think we all know this too well. I, ,myself, have a doctorate in this area because I know that I would put any amount of effort necessary to make happen what I wanted, but as Paul says it wasn’t me that wanted it but the sin that lives in me. The fall was crushing but at the same time gave a reason for Christ to come and sacrifice himself. I have heard people get very upset with God and say what kind of father would do that to their son, but what so many of them fail to realize is that Christ, because of his love for us, said that he wanted to do it. Then once he did choose to come, we received redemption, which meant that nothing we have done or will do will keep us from our Papa. It simply means by his Grace and his Stripes we are healed. He took our place on our cross for us, not just because he had to because we are sinners, but ultimately because he wanted too. This is so important that I repeated it, Jesus loves us so much that HE WANTED to die and carry those burdens of sins for us. Finally, in the last act of accepting his love and choice to save us, we have restoration. He wants to mend and heal our relationship with him. He focuses on our hearts and removes strongholds that have been set in place. He carefully counsels us as we live moment by moment seeking him. He takes our old beat up soul and restores it as white as snow falling from the sky. He allows us to know that once we are restored we are His. He will never let us go or forsake us. When trials come he takes on the storm with us and if it seems to much for us to handle He stands in the way to take the blows. It is amazing for me in my life to finally realize that I am restored in Christ and through my restoration, he wants me to share his love with the broken hearted of this world. People will see Christ shine through you and as you take a moment to see where you started to where you are now, in Christ Jesus, it is nothing short of a miracle. I am so thankful for a God who allows me to trust him where I do not have to hide, I can be who he created me to be and let him do the rest. I submit and surrender my free will to him, so that he can guide my paths straight and bless me and carry me through times of tribulation. AMEN!!
