I had been looking forward to this specific ride all summer. If there were ever a year I need to refocus,
it was this one. Partially because I
finally took some significant time off this summer and enjoyed three weeks in New
York. But mostly due to the fact that
last year was the most difficult of my professional career.
Every year, I take a long bike ride before the beginning of the
school year to clear my head and set goals for the new year. This year was delayed for a variety of
reasons. After a full week of school, I
finally found the time and energy to take a Sunday afternoon ride.
Earbuds In.
Playlist on.
Eyes to the path.
It started like any other ride. I started off slow, gaining speed with each
push of the pedal. I pedaled faster
hoping to clear my head. It was quickly
evident, the Lord had other plans.
Redemption.
I just
couldn’t get it out of my mind and I wasn't exactly sure why. For some reason, I had a replay of every redemption story I had encountered. I couldn't help but wonder if the Lord was preparing me for something or settling something. Either way, he had my attention.
I witnessed my first redemption story at a young age. I remember watching the story unfold and
wondering if I would ever see things the same way again. Since then, I’ve seen it happen over and over
again.
Fall.
Suffer.
Rise.
Redeemed.
Being a high school principal, I watch the redemption story
happen daily. Let’s face it. Teenagers screw up. Over and over and over again. Just recently, I have watched the most
amazing transformation of a student that couldn’t get out of his own way. Fall after fall after fall, he just couldn’t
stand back up. And then it happened. He was finally able to claim his redemption
story.
The one thing I have learned over the years is that
redemption is a journey and it doesn’t happen overnight. I think that’s the hardest fight we battle as
Christians. We expect that once we accept
Christ as our savior, that our struggles should be done. Wouldn’t that make for a simple story?
A friend of mine once told me, “Forgiveness doesn’t show
weakness, it exhibits the greatest of strength.” I firmly believe if you can’t love through
adversity then you never really loved at all.
Redemption is not simple. Christ’s
love for us is just a great example of what he expects from us. I’m thankful he
loved first. I’m thankful he forgave
us. I’m thankful he died for that which
he forgave.
