You've all seen one, or even someone who regrets one. You know, the smitten young man who, out of misdirected passion, has a young lady's name tattooed on his arm for all to see. It's a testimony to true love—or so it seemed last week when they met. Now it's just a reminder of a foolish impulse.
This is not a commentary on the merit of tattoos, but a reflection based on viewing a television program about tattooing. In this particular episode a forlorn, semi-embarrassed gentleman enters the parlour looking to correct such a misdirected romantic gesture. On his arm in beautiful script was permanently inscribed the name Ida for all to see. His remedy: to have a tattoo artist create a larger tattoo concealing Ida.
The challenge was laid and the artist began his restorative work. I was skeptical at best. In fact there was a little bit of me thinking that's what you get for being stupid. But over the next few time–elapsed minutes I was amazed at the work being done, along with the ability of the artist to completely transform Ida into the image of a lifelike bird. The once ill–conceived romantic gesture was redeemed and what took its place was undeniably a work of art.
The term redemption is powerful, one that carries great personal meaning for my life journey. I have often said God is in the business of redemption. Nothing is beyond His ability to redeem: a relationship, someone's character, even someone's life. Redeem defined means to buy back; to free from distress, captivity or harm; to release from debt, blame or the consequences of sin; to make good, to atone.
It is more than a covering up. To be redeemed is to be made free—free from the bondage of poor choices, actions, and decisions. Redemption's consequence is renewal; the old has gone, the new has come. Available to the whosoever, we can experience a new beginning and a new position as a child of God, all as a result of a Child.
This Christmas consider the redemption story, a Child who came, given freely that we might be made free. Given that we might be redeemed, released from the consequence of sin, regret, remorse, and made new to live life in His image. Now there's a work of art.
Just a thought…
