Redeemed Sinner
Many years ago, a friend and I were having a deep discussion, and she said something that has stuck with me all these years.
"Everyone loves a redeemed sinner."
It's so true, isn't it?
There is something so inspirational about hearing how someone fought against all odds and overcame abuse, addiction, neglect, or tragedy and survived to tell the tale.
We usually only hear about the awful beginning and the triumphant end in these stories and don't know about the messy middle filled with stops, starts, restarts, failures, tears, meltdowns, and near endings.
So, without knowing all the messy details, we cheer loudly for them, are amazed at their perseverance and strength, and compare their happy ending (or what seems to be anyway) to our messy middle.
When we look at our own stories, the cheering section gets quiet.
We tend only to see our problems, what we aren't doing well, and how far we still have to go.
I mean, seriously, why the heck are we so hard on ourselves?
We get stuck in sinner mode, focus on where we started, and ignore the redemption and celebration part.
God is the hero of our story, AND make no mistake, we did some pretty incredible work, too.
We can find redemption and celebration, even in the messy middle of our stories.
If only you could see you the way God sees you.
God sees you as His precious child and cherishes everything about you.
You are indeed a redeemed sinner, and you are loved, just the way you are - from the beginning to the messy middle to the glorious and heroic ending.
And as for the cheering section, well, let's just say I lost my voice screaming for you!
Keep going, my friend. You are doing great!
Isaiah 43:1
But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, He who formed you, Israel: "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine."
Zephaniah 3:17
The LORD your God is in your midst, A Warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with joy; He will be quiet in His love [making no mention of your past sins], He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.
Deuteronomy 31:8
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.