Redemption
School Bus Redemption: Allergies, Bullies and Opportunities
Does God really work all things together for our good? Even the paltry stuff of school bus drama?
He doesn’t always let us see how He’s doing so, but His Word says He will, indeed, redeem all of life’s events for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28). I revel in it when He gives me a small glimpse of this kind of redemption.
My son suffers from a list of food allergies so long even an Iron Chef would get his spatula in a twist to cook for him. Read More
Being Boaz: Our Role as the Kinsman-Redeemer
In the book of Ruth, we meet Boaz, a man who heeded God’s instruction to the Israelites 
to not glean to the edges of their fields. Through his faithfulness, Ruth, a destitute young widow and a foreigner, was able to glean food for herself and her mother-in-law from his crops. When he learned of her vulnerability, Boaz sought to protect Ruth as she worked in the fields (Ruth 2:9,22). Perhaps he knew too well how easily women could be taken advantage of. After all, his mother, Rahab, was the harlot of Jericho who helped the men of Israel escape when pursued by their enemies (Joshua 2).
The Cup of Deliverance
The night before He died…
Jesus celebrated Passover with His disciples in the Upper Room. Together, they ate the Passover meal according to the ritual laid out in the Jewish Seder, a worshipful ceremony which celebrates God’s work in their national history. The Seder service retells their story through four ‘cups’: the Cup of Freedom, the Cup of Deliverance, the Cup of Redemption and the Cup of Hallel (Praise).
Each section of the Seder — each cup, if you will — has a story that precedes it. At the conclusion of the storyline, participants consume the whole cup of wine or juice. The second cup, the Cup of Deliverance, specifically commemorates God’s work in freeing the Israelites from their slavery in Egypt through each of the plagues and ultimately the death of all firstborn (Exodus 7-12). In my study of the Passover meal, I learned that this second cup is not a full cup of wine.
In the Bible, a full or overflowing cup is a symbol of joy or satisfaction.
The Jewish people take no joy in the many deaths their deliverance required. And so, when the wine is poured for the Second Cup, it is filled only partially. Furthermore, in the telling of the Second Cup, the Jews recount each of the ten plagues and spill a drop of wine for each plague, representing a loss of joy due to the suffering of their enemies.
As we solemnly observe Maundy Thursday and Good Friday in anticipation of Easter this Sunday, I wonder if we might take a cue from Israel and pour our glasses only partially full at mealtimes in the coming days before Easter when our joy is again full.
In this might we remember that our deliverance from the wages of sin cost Jesus His life.
He died for us while we were still His enemies (Romans 5:6-8). His willingness to drink the cup set before Him, purchased our redemption.
Consider participating in or hosting a Christian Seder;
I recommend Ann Hibbard’s book,
Family Celebrations at Easter.
For Full Effect
Count it all joy, my brothers when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
— James 1:2-4 ESV
“…let steadfastness have its full effect.” That little three-letter word ‘let’ startled me in this verse. It sounded so… passive. In a sense, I liked that because it evoked a picture in my mind of being wholly submitted, as if laid on the altar. Read More
Permitted with Purpose
Why did God make me this way?
This was my child’s lament in the throes of algebra-induced frustration. I tried (unsuccessfully) not to cry, too; I ache for it to be different for her.
Despite her struggle, she acknowledges God’s power to cause a change in her abilities. Yet, she was, to some degree, blaming Him; her comment indicts God for not allowing it to come easily for her.
I am powerless to change this for her. I know that God can, yet to this point has chosen not to. I felt my role was to help lead her to see what God was accomplishing in and through it. When I asked what she thought, she came up empty. I reminded her that God made her perfectly, wonderfully (Psalm 139:14), and shared with her what I have observed: Read More
Bearing the Banner
My favorite read from 2011 was the book Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand, who wrote the story of Louis Zamperini’s most remarkable life. I eagerly tuned into the the podcast of his recent visit to a church in the Bay Area.
At 94 years of age, undeterred by a broken leg, this man was intent on sharing his story: God’s story as revealed in his life. He was, by all accounts, a hooligan in his younger years, then discovered a more productive (and legal) use of his energy: running. He competed in the Olympics before becoming a bombardier in WWII, only to endure the unthinkable (that word scarcely does it justice; please read the book). His reflections, shared with those in attendance, bore God’s message of hope, faith, forgiveness and redemption.
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
— 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT
Our Good
The dawning of a new year brings optimism to my perspective that isn’t normally there. I find myself eager and undaunted by the enormity of my goals. While it’s true that we have opportunity to make changes and set goals every day, the January 1 juncture catalyzes my review of year-past and desires for year-future.
After reflecting on the recent months of blogging, one post stood out to me: the post that we wrote together for Thanksgiving. It expressed the true desire of my heart for the purpose of Eight Twenty-Eight, that we would see God’s redemptive purpose achieved in all the happenings of our lives. We are often the tools He uses — through our shared stories, mutual encouragement and burdens borne. And yet, the tagline didn’t adequately capture that. So, I present to you the new Eight Twenty-Eight tagline:
All things. Our good. His glory.
We’re on this journey together, for God has brought us here. Participate with me, as you already have, through your comments and emails. Be a part of His work in the lives of “those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.”
What are your hopes for this year? Are you reading the Bible all the way through? Memorizing scripture? Committing to prayer at a certain point in your day? Joining a study? Aiding widows, orphans or those suffering injustice? Finding new ways to love your neighbor? Reducing your spending to increase your giving?
Whatever it may be, I pray your resolve includes allowing others to see how God is using you, shaping you, growing you. Invite them into your heart so they may see the work of Christ. I’d love to hear about it, too.
Some passages to consider as you ponder and plan for 2012:
Philippians 3:
Remember what we have gained in Christ, and what we strain for.
1 Corinthians 10:
Our choices should glorify God and not cause others to falter.
Colossians 3:
Live as a redeemed person, and help others do the same.
My prayer for each of us is that God’s Word will illumine our paths (Psalm 119:105) and make them straight (Proverbs 3:6). Happy New Year!
Offerings of Thanks
For those receiving the post in a reader or via email, you will need to visit the site to view properly due to the animation.
Over the last two weeks, as your stories have slipped into my soul through your notes, I have found myself brought low with humility and tears at how readily you have extolled the Lord and His work in your lives through even the most devastating life circumstances. Likewise, I have soared with hope and gratitude because of the inspiration you have blessed me with through them.
I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. –Psalm 34:1-3 NIV
How you have lived out this verse in rich fullness through sharing these stories!
Thank you. My prayer, as you read, is that you find yourself praising God, exalting and glorifying Him for the redemption of hardship and suffering. You join the chorus by simply reading along – whether you contributed or not – and God will be blessed. Feel free to use the comments section to add your voice in praise, as well.
With thanksgiving… for each of you,
—Kirsten
[promoslider height=”350px” font=”Georgia”]
The slides will scroll automatically, but can be paused or advanced manually when you mouse over them. Click on ‘continue reading’ to see the full story from each slide; you can navigate through each from the full-post as well.
It’s all good
It’s all good. Or, is it?
Culturally, we’re hung up on the concept of ‘good.’ Companies like Yoplait and Life is Good hinge their slogans and even their very name on the word. Our vernacular employs it to connote anything that is positive, pleasurable, or profitable. It’s become an arbitrary or generic term for anything we like.
In a world virally-infected with sin, where disease and depravity run rampant, can the simple phrase ‘it’s all good’ possibly bear truth? Children are abandoned or abused; families stagger under the weight of poverty the world over; natural disasters and accidents wreak havoc on life and livelihood. These can hardly be described as ‘good’, can they?
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
– Romans 8:28
This verse is the inspiration for the name of this website: Eight Twenty-Eight. As mentioned on my About page, I chose it because I routinely quote this verse to myself as an audible flash-card, to train myself in the mindset of knowing that God is both good and powerfully at work in the lives of His people.
According to Vines Expository Dictionary of the Bible, the Greek word for ‘good’ (agathos) as it’s used in Romans 8:28,
“describes that which, being “good” in its character or constitution, is beneficial in its effect.”
When the definite article ‘the’ precedes it, as it does in Romans 8:28, it
“signifies that which is “good,” lit., “the good,” as being morally honorable, pleasing to God, and therefore beneficial.”
Isn’t that a game-changer?
Beneficial in its effect. For our benefit. The benefit of becoming more like Christ.
My father died of a brain tumor when I was nine years old. I spent thirteen years not just grieving, but shaking my fist in rage at God for allowing it. Surrendering to my need for a Savior and trusting in the sacrifice and resurrection of Christ brought the healing I desperately needed. As a Christian, I reap the reward of this promise given to believers. I see how He has brought beauty out of those ashes: I have offered comfort to those with similar losses, I value my husband’s role in the lives of my children much more profoundly, I rejoice that I have a Father in heaven, and I responded to the plight of the fatherless in bringing home my sons from Russia.
When viewing present circumstances, it requires lenses of faith to believe that what we endure now will benefit us later. Our vision is limited; we think only in terms of this life, and often merely of our comfort in it. Yet all that befalls us has passed first before the Throne of God, and He has allowed it (though He cannot cause evil). He is fitting us for heaven with every experience, shaping our characters into the likeness of Christ, ones that can trust and praise Him in all circumstances.
The horrible injustices we observe or experience aren’t ‘good’ in and of themselves, but rather ‘good’ in the effect they produce, even if we don’t see that fruit on this side of eternity. That which another intends for evil, God repurposes – redeems, if you will – for good. (Genesis 50:20) For the believer, all things can be used by God to render us into greater likeness to Christ. From this eternal perspective all things are, therefore, good.
This knowledge doesn’t make our earthly sufferings easy to endure; they are not simply overcome with those words. In the darkest hours, I return to the first part of Romans 8:28: “And we know…” When I don’t feel that anything good can come of whatever I’m enduring, I have to lean on my knowledge of who God is and what His Word says.
And His Word says that He will. Someday… somehow.
In this world ravaged by depravity, my human eyes observe very little to be ‘good’ – much less all. And so, I yield. I yield to the knowledge that God is indeed sovereign, trusting that He can and will work all things together for the good of those who love Him. And thus I will trust that, “It will all be good.”
Will you?
Dedicated to KP:
Thank you for your living testimony to this truth in your life.
Tangled
Muffled whimpers escaped the closed bathroom door. It was past the time when she was due downstairs for the morning, so I’d gone upstairs to check on Boo. This darling daughter o’ mine is a basketful of surprises: I had no idea what I’d find when I opened the door. Perhaps frustration over getting earrings into her recently-pierced ears? Sadness over one escaping down the sink drain?
I found her dripping wet from her shower, trying to extricate a comb wound so tightly with hair that I feared removal would require surgical intervention. She was pulling and twisting, ratcheting the hair tighter with every failed attempt to free it, like a Chinese finger trap.
“Why didn’t you ask me for help?” She was afraid I’d laugh. Laughter was a generous assumption of my response, given the dictates of the over-filled morning that lay ahead. I tabulated the number of minutes remaining until we needed to leave for the bus stop, knowing breakfast hadn’t been consumed nor backpacks loaded. I silently asked God to help me put those concerns aside to meet her needs, physically and emotionally. She didn’t want my help, but she needed it. If she didn’t trust me to do right by her, we weren’t going anywhere – literally or figuratively.
I cajoled her into getting dressed and coming downstairs. (Or did I threaten?) She finally appeared in the kitchen in a school-appropriate outfit and a terry cloth wimple she’d constructed from her towel to conceal her ‘issue.’
The best strategy I could devise to salvage as much hair as possible was to pour oil on her head, hoping it would lube the locks. I massaged it into the gnarled comb-hair mass. I tugged. It hurt. She cried. I fetched wire cutters from the garage and snipped teeth off the comb, in hopes of freeing still more hair. It was tedious work with dismaying results, sometimes loosing merely a few strands at a time. It pushed the limits of my patience. And hers. Still, she needed my help. Eventually, it was clear that scissors were warranted. I snipped carefully and finally liberated my daughter from her encumbrance.
As I washed the oil from her hair in the sink, I gently inquired what caused her predicament. She couldn’t offer much explanation for motive, except that she wanted to see what would happen, and really thought she’d be able to get it out. She lay outstretched on the counter, her head cupped in my hands over the sink, and she looked up at me, her Disney Princess eyes finally free of tears and embarrassment. The vulnerability of her gaze and position were striking to me. There was closeness, intimacy, in being trusted to help, and proving faithful to it.
How often I’ve found myself in a tangled situation, facing an outcome I hadn’t predicted. I retreat into my misery, whimpering as I tug on the strands of error, lack of forethought, and sin. I hide my face from the Lord, covering myself with other competencies and busyness to conceal the glaring problem-that-can’t-be-hidden. Ultimately, though, there are messes in my life that I cannot unravel; I need Another’s help. Though I may not want to feel so exposed, I need His help. Sometimes His tools are fragrant oils that wash easily away, other times wire cutters and scissors are necessary, with more painful and enduring effects. In either case, I must lay myself out on the counter – the altar, place myself into His cupped hands, and in trust look up. In that vulnerability there is Holy intimacy. And He is faithful to help, never forsaking me.
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
— Philippians 1:6 NLT
Recommended reading (or listening!): Psalm 40
Story told with permission from the hair ‘stylist,’ who felt blessed to know that her story taught me something, and was then willing to have it shared with you.