God is the Redeemer – His Gift, Our Purpose

When there is a void in your heart that nothing fills, remember God is the redeemer. He has a gift for you that fills that void and gives your life purpose. Do you feel a darkness looming over you? Are you feeling unfulfilled, trying to fill the void by finding joy in other people and things? Maybe you once had joy and fulfillment in your heart, but it is a vague memory. God has a gift for you that brings purpose to your life and incomprehensible joy. It’s a gift that must be accepted and then used.

God’s Gift

I remember as a child, feeling a dark emptiness in my heart. Then one Sunday morning, my Sunday school teacher told the class that God so loved the world that He gave us a gift, His son, Jesus. She told us how sin keeps us away from God who is light and how sin keeps us in darkness. However, God had a plan. She continued to explain that we are all sinners in need of the gift of redemption from sin. God is the redeemer and He had a plan for redemption. That plan was for Jesus to pay the price for our sins by way of death on the cross. She said that Jesus was knocking at the door of our hearts. He wanted to give us this free gift of salvation, but it was up to us to take the gift by letting him into our lives and following Him (Learn more).

My Response

I didn’t respond that day to the invitation to accept Jesus’ gift of salvation. However, one night I considered what my teacher had taught me about Jesus. I knew without a doubt He was calling me to open my heart to Him. So, that night I gave my life, my heart, to Him. Immediately I felt a sense of love and joy wash over me. Throughout my childhood, I always felt Him with me. Even as a teenager, although I tried to push Him away, I knew Jesus was still there. 

What Did Mary Think

Today, as Christmas draws near, I remember that gift I received many years ago. I remember how it filled my life with love and joy and it continues still today. Each Christmas, as I look upon the statues of the nativity, I wonder what thoughts Mary had after giving birth to Jesus, God’s gift to the world. While looking at the face of her child, did she remember the words the angel spoke in Luke 1:30-38? The angel told her to name Him Jesus, and that He was God’s son. Surely, she remembered the prophecies taught in the synagogue. (Isaiah 53 & Psalm 22) Could she see the shadow of the cross looming over her swaddled child in the manger? For her child, Jesus was born to die for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2).

The Looming Cross

Just like the cross loomed over baby Jesus, the cross looms over each of us at birth (Psalms 51:5). A reminder of our sinful nature. We deserve the death the cross signifies because of that sin (Romans 6:23). However, the shadow of the cross that first Christmas foretold the hope we would have. The cross Jesus had to bear was the payment required for the world’s sins, for my sins (1 Corinthians 15:3).

A Free Gift

This payment was a free gift that is offered to the world. However, with any gift, it needs to be received and opened. We must receive the gift of His salvation (Romans 6:23). Once we receive the gift, we need to open ourselves up to His lordship over our lives (Romans 14:8-9). You see, light dispels darkness and shadows.  When we receive salvation, the Light of Christ’s righteousness wipes out the shadow that is cast over us (2 Corinthians 5:21). Have you received Christ’s light into your life? If you need to know more, read about the plan of salvation.

Lost Joy

What if you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, and you feel like you’ve lost the joy of your salvation? Remember the joy and love you felt after accepting Christ? Have you allowed Him to be the Lord of your life? Ask Him to restore the joy of your salvation (Psalms 51:12). I know when I don’t allow Him to have lordship over my life, I feel the shadows creeping in. Unfortunately, as a teenager, I was well aware of the shadows caused by my disobedience to the Lord. I had closed myself off to Him in anger because of unfortunate events in my life. It took some difficult times to draw me back. You see, I was not doing what the Lord had called me to do. I was being defiant to the plan and purpose He had for me.

Out of the Shadows

When I finally hit rock bottom, I cried out to the Lord and He heard me just like the psalmist said in Psalm 18:6. Then through a series of events, the Lord pulled me out of the shadows (my testimony). As I started living for Him, the peace and joy returned to me. That doesn’t mean life was easy. God never promised it would be. He did promise He would be with me every step of the way (Deuteronomy 31:8) even if I didn’t understand what He was doing in my life.  I know I can trust Him to work out His plan and purpose for my life (Jeremiah 29:11). I trust His love.

Considering Mary

God had a plan and purpose for Mary, as well. The day the angel visited Mary to tell her of God’s plan, I wonder if she understood the full scope of it. I’m sure she didn’t realize the amount of travel that would be asked of her such as traveling from Nazareth to Bethlehem and then to Egypt. Or, that she’d be giving birth in a stable.  Did she fully comprehend the type of death her son would have to endure to pay for the world’s sins? I do know Mary was willing to be used by God. She trusted Him (Luke 1:38).

Living in the Moment

I have so many questions I’d like to ask Mary, Jesus’ mother. Another question I’ve thought about is, Did she live in the moment, or did she constantly wonder when “the sword would pierce her heart”(Luke 2:33-35)? Did she try to deny what she knew about scripture? Rationalize it? I think I would. Ultimately, I hope I would trust God even if I had questions. I believe Mary trusted her Lord, living in the awe and amazement of each moment of her life.  And, as she allowed God to fulfill the plan and purpose He had for her, I believe she was filled with love and peace that defies all understanding which is reflected in her song in Luke 1:46-55. Her soul proclaimed the greatness of the Lord, and her spirit rejoiced in God her Savior.

Awe and Amazement

 Often, I miss the awe and amazement of God’s process in my life. I become too busy planning my own steps, worrying if I can make it work out. Then I remember, “God’s got this.” I step back, and watch God work in ways that I would never have imagined. For God has my steps ordered and it goes much smoother when I’m in obedience to His will for my life. My prayer is, that I’ll never stop being filled with awe and amazement at how God uses me for His glory. Also, I’ll never stop thanking God, my redeemer. He allowed His only son to pay for my sins. Jesus was born to die so my sin wouldn’t loom over me on earth. He died so I could be with God eternally. Jesus fulfilled the purpose God had for Him (John 6:38). Am I fulfilling God’s purpose for my life?

Purpose

Each of us was born for a purpose (Jeremiah 29:11). The only way that purpose can be fulfilled is by following Christ. I know I don’t want to allow sin to cloud my purpose here on earth or steal my joy. What about you? If you haven’t accepted Christ’s gift of salvation, accept the ultimate Christmas gift, and allow it to fill the void in your heart. Allow it to dispel the shadow of the cross from your heart.  Let it light your path and fill you with purpose, love, and peace that passes all understanding.

Reflection

Is there anything looming over you? Does it stifle you from living out the purpose God has for you? Do you need to ask God to save you from your sins?

Comments & Questions

If you have accepted God’s free gift of salvation with the help of this post, please let me know in the comment section below or by email using the contact page. I’d love to share the next steps with you.

If you’ve had a relationship with God for a while, share with me in the comment section how it has impacted your life.

If you would like to read more about having a relationship with God, read this.

Know that God is the Redeemer