Redemption

Sometimes, the past comes back to haunt me. At unguarded moments, memories of hurtful remarks, painful actions and even rejection replays itself through my mind, though some happen way back 2,5 or even 8 years ago. Some as fresh as memories of yesterday, as vivid as the setting sun and the shining blue moon.

'You loser!'
'What? Not with him. Anyone else but him..'
'Weirdo!'
'You just don't belong here Leo, perhaps somewhere else, but not here..'

And at times like this, it takes a whole load of guts to continue on. To know that I've changed. That it's no longer the past, but the present. Sometimes, the mental anguish runs rule over a calm mind as it feels like a thousand swords piercing through your heart and the very fabric of your existence. Words, though might not injure physically, can leave scars that run deep.

It was on one of these days when I was reminded of the samaritan woman. Rejected, ashamed and even perhaps ridiculed in the small town of hers. Her past had caught up with her and even took over her life. She could not even take water from the well with the other ladies in the morning, for she had to go alone in the evening, when it was empty of the people who might start pointing fingers at her. After all, she's notorious even among a society that did not value holiness and Godliness.

Maybe she had been doing this for awhile. Maybe for quite some time. And perhaps, for a number of years. Alone. Rejected. Without a glimmer of hope. She goes around with her shame covering her, just like her veil and her cloak. It's her past she's not proud of, and the very same past that holds her guilty. Society has been cruel in reminding her of her mistakes. How can she shake them off in such a time like that?

And as we read John 4:4-26, we find out that Jesus Christ had came specifically to the small town to set her free. The day was hers. The opportunity, hers. And finally, the redemption, hers. Redemption from the crushing guilt that people continue to hold her to. Redemption from the past that shackled her life. Redemption from sin and pain.

As God reminded me of this story, of His grace and mercy and of His promise of a yoke that is light and easy, I'm free again from the past that haunts me. Free from the hurts, the pains and the rejections I encountered through growing up. Free from expectations. And finally free to be myself again.

Though I might have to face the struggle of the past once again on another day, it's okay as I know God has redeemed me as He once did with the samaritan lady. He is a God of second chance that has given me new life to breathe and live again.

How about you? Would you surrender your life to Christ? Every hurt, pain and rejection that continues to bind you? Though it's a tough journey, God is there for us all.

God Bless~!