Minister’s Musings
“There is a way to be good again.”—Rahim Shah, in Khaled Hosseini’s novel, The Kite Runner.
March ushers in the monthly worship theme of redemption and the Lenten season. In the picture above, we see a person walking away from broken chains pictured with the statement: “Forgiveness creates the space for people, relationships, and opportunities to be restored, opening the door to a better future.”
Rev. Anya Sammler-Michael says that religious and secular moral traditions all over the world champion redemption as a means to spiritual growth and freedom from hopelessness. She asks what redemption means- it is the act of saving, or being saved, from error. Drug users and dealers achieve redemption by getting clean and then leading others to do the same. Rev. Forrest Church, wrote a story about his sobriety and redemption. You can read more:
There are at least two examples of redemption found in the Old Testament. In the story of Noah, we see the saving of human lives, Noah’s family. In the story of Joseph, we see the saving of human lives, a nation. In the story of Noah, God forgives; and in the story of Joseph, a human being forgives. In the story of Noah, the past is obliterated. In the story of Joseph, the past is redeemed. Which would you prefer if you could choose?
Redemption can look different to different people. One person’s redemption is another’s hell. In a united faith, we are left to decide this for ourselves. Collectively, we agree that the covenants we construct matter because we believe it is an important part of living in right relation. The hope of restoration is made possible with living in right relationship.
We believe there is a way to be good again - we need this kind of hope.
We live out this faith by respecting the covenants we keep and the promises made to one another. There is a lot to ponder with the concept. The journey may be long, but it’s good to know we are on a path to spiritual growth. Let us proceed on a search for the open door to a better future for all human kind. Let this be a month where we explore such ideas as redemption, covenant, and restoration.
Peace, Rev. Julie