Hope

     In order for there to be Redemption, there must be depravity. Merriam-Weber's definition of redemption is: "A thing that saves someone from error or evil." The redeemed are given a whole new status and future. As humans, we are deprived, lost beyond our ability to save ourselves. God knew this and it was for this reason He sent a satisfying replacement. We are redeemed when we are replaced by Christ's sacrifice. From that point on, we are forever held in the hands of God. In His hands we are offered a new life, a new future, and the ability to change. Redemption is not only the sole antagonist to depravity; it is the power of Christ in our lives. At the moment of Salvation, we are redeemed to another life, a life capable of glorifying God. Our actions are purified, our thoughts glorifying, and our rewards are unbelievably great. Because of His love for us, we are given a new life.
     In Johnanesburg, SA, the wall of a concrete building offers a baby-sized door labeled "The Door of Hope." Every day in Johannesburg, the sun rises on one more abandoned child, left in the wilderness to die. Newborns are left helpless because of apathy, because of shame, or because of desperation. Katie Allen, the director of the Door of Hope, explained her reason for establishing this "drop-off station" for children as young as newborn: "What we do gives desperate mothers and their children and alternative." Since 1999 the organization has rescued 960 children who would have otherwise died. In a country where abandonment has increased by 30% in the past three years, the Door of Hope redirects the lives of babies who could have taken their last breaths in a garbage bin.
     "You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good. -Gen. 50:20" This verse describes the lives of these unwanted babies. Each child that is discarded through the Door of Hope is dishonored, shamed, and helpless. Their little voices cry out in despair before a worker rushes to grasp them into their arms. In the moment before anyone comes to their rescue, they are completely lost. There is no alternate outcome; they are going to die. In the same way, our original parents set us on a path of destruction. Like the babies, we cannot redeem ourselves or try to earn our redemption. The only difference between our circumstances is that we are the cause of our condemnation. Any act of redemption always follows an act of evil, of despair. These children's real families either did not or could not care for them. Depraved decisions would have caused a pitiful death. Not many beings have so many factors weighing against them. However, when the hands of hope wrapped around their helpless souls, they were changed forever. Those hands provided life giving milk and cared for them by cleaning their little unwashed bodies. In the same way we are washed and cleaned by the outstretched hands of God. When God takes a hold of our lives, through Christ's life, our future is so much brighter. A relationship with Him and the promise of heaven are suddenly in our possession. Although the problem of evil is unexplainable, the same cannot be said for redemption. Redemption changes the course of life and allows for a future through an unbelievable Door of Hope.

Love

Sometimes I feel that life comes at me so fast that it rushes right by me too quickly. I look at yesterday, and a week from yesterday, and I can barely remember the activities of that day. It is as if life is racing past me so fast that it sucks me along behind it in its wake. I cannot take the time to enjoy everything. As this happens, it is so easy to lose the meaning, or point and sanctity in life. There are plenty of things to improve our short time here… but there is only one thing that brings meaning to life, love. Our beautiful God gave us one single thing to hold on to. The love of friends, family, things, emotions, life itself. Not conditional, unconditional.
Love is needed, imitated, destroyed; it is the reason for almost all actions. Things are made to prolong life because of the love of life. The love of family makes us go to war, kill. Puppy love makes some act stupid, deranged. Many have searched for real love. Few have succeeded in their quest. Love is the reason for creation, God loved. Love is the reason for salvation, God loved. God is the sole reason for love, the essence of love itself is in God. Love was created for us. Why? Because of His intense love. No human can fully comprehend love, much less the Being of God.
 

Do You Hear Voices?

Do you hear voices?

I hear the voice of the helpless

The ones that cannot speak

I hear the call of the burdened

The lost that cannot see

Do you hear voices?

I hear the whimper of the child

Rejected then rebellious

The look in their eyes speaks more than the words

Of those who would despise.

Do you hear voices?

You hear the voice of the lost

But you count the cost

And forget the echo from their heart

The sound of luxury speaks loud to thee!

Do you hear voices?

You heard the voice of the child

The one who was trouble and wild

But did you fail to see?

His behavior cries out to me!

Do you hear voices?

I hear the voice of the Lord

Calling out to me

Go to them! Speak for Me!

Do you hear a Voice?

The voice of the One who gave His all

He cried out to answer their call.

But you heard and judged,

That they were to far to reach.

Do you hear?