Have you ever thought, I know Jesus has redeemed my life, but there still seems to be a lot of brokenness? This can be a common thought, especially when we face loss in our relationships. When we are deeply hurt by someone we love, it can be hard to move forward. We carry the pain with us, and it causes fractures in our hearts.
The beautiful truth is this: Jesus did not come merely to give us life after death. He came to restore all that had been lost.
“The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10, NIV)
Often we hear Luke 19:10 as describing only evangelistic outreach, but it carries a charge for so much more! I once heard a leader challenge business people to explore this “save what is lost” dynamic. The leader urged them to stop feeling ashamed if God had gifted them with the ability to prosper. As I listened, my heart leaped within me. Why not extend this truth to relationships as well? There is potential for restoration in every relationship that has suffered loss.
Redemption has the power to restore everything lost in the transgression of the fall, which separated us not only from the presence of God but also from one another. If redemption was powerful enough to restore our relationship with God, it is certainly compelling enough to reconcile us to each other!
Restoration begins as we submit to the truth of God’s Word and consciously choose to do things His way. Love and respect long gone can be restored by the healing power of God!
So, what has been lost in your life and relationships? If you have not gone to your Father and asked Him to redeem the hurt and brokenness, I encourage you to do so today. Where there is redemption and restoration, we live in the fullness of what Jesus won for us.
Pray with me:
Father, I recognize that I have been hurt and even hurt others in relationships. I know it has caused me to live without the fullness of life that Jesus came to give me. I ask You to restore the love that has been broken and even lost. I thank You for restoring Your presence in my life when You sent Jesus to redeem the world. Now I ask You to help me be a living example of that redemption to those around me. Thank You for Your healing work! In Your precious Son’s name, amen.
If you want to dive deeper into the topic of restoration, check out Lisa Bevere‘s book Fight Like a Girl: The Power of Being a Woman.