Starting Over

Psalm 103:4 – Who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion. (NIV)

I love being a Christian. I love the experience of being a sinner saved by Christ. Without Christ's grace and mercy, I don't know where I would be right now. Without God's compassion, I don't know where I would end up.

Christianity is a beautiful faith. It makes us recognize that we are all imperfect (John Calvin would say "depraved" and "fallen"), but it doesn't leave us there. We are given a wonderful, life-changing opportunity to come to Christ, in order to be forgiven, restored, and renewed. And it's not just a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We can go back to Jesus time and time again, confessing our mistakes and asking for pardon. We can begin again. We can have hope again. We can start our lives over again.

Throughout the years, I have seen many people, including myself, be transformed by Christianity. The Spirit of Christ has a power that is unequalled in this world. I have seen addicts cured. I have known sinners regain respect. I have experienced dysfunctional families rediscover their love for one another. It's an amazing process and I thank God each day for His work in my life.

I am far from perfect, and like everyone else, I have my moments of foolishness, selfishness, and unholiness. But when I am weak, Christ is strong. When I fall, He stoops down and lifts me up. It's a beautiful faith and a wonderful way of getting through life. And that's why I want to share it with everyone. That's why I want family and friends, neighbours and co-workers, acquaintances and strangers to learn about Jesus. For Christ is the only one who can redeem us out of the pits of despair that we dig, by lifting us up with His love and crowning us with His compassion.

Perhaps you're at a low point in your life and you feel that everything is pointless. Or maybe you know someone who is going through a lot of trouble, sickness or worry. Jesus is the key to lifting each one of us or our loved ones out of that rut, and He is willing to do so, even now. We need just to ask Him for help and to find that He cares.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, there are times in our lives when we regret the past and fear the future. There are moments when we feel isolated and insecure, insignificant and unimportant. When we experience those things, lift us up and help us to begin again. Grant us Your love and compassion, Your healing and strength. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.

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