Language

I got an email update from my sister today, and this definition was in it:

Redeem: to buy back, to get or win back; to free what distresses or harms; to free from captivity by payment of ransom; to extricate from or help to overcome something detrimental; to release from blame or debt; to free from the consequences of sin; to change for the better; to repair or restore; to exchange for something of value; to remove the obligation of by payment; to atone for, expiate; to offset the bad effect of; to make worthwhile; to rescue.

My sister leads Young Life, which is a non-denominational Christian based youth ministry. She sends prayer requests and email updates about how everything is going and I always find them moving and inspirational (much like my sister). My sister is amazing and I know that when she was speaking about redemption she was talking about Christ and how he died on the cross for our sins. However moving that is for me I think redemption can be tied into all aspects of our lives.

When I think of the word redeem sadly my mind turns to retail. Redeem your coupon for 20% off your ENTIRE purchase. Terrible. What I would like to focus on today though are relationships and heartbreak. Both are a part of life, and hopefully, one day,you'll find one that doesn't end in the latter. However with every break of ones heart (at least with mine) I find it harder and harder to trust and open up. I tend to feel that the new man in my life should redeem himself for the mistakes made from my previous relationship. Completely and utterly unfair, yes I know. I become closed off and don't want to be repaired for fear of getting destroyed emotionally again. But at the end of the definition is says, "to make worthwhile; to rescue." Redeem can mean so many things. It can be an action one takes, or a change of mind in order to "help overcome something detrimental." There's endless possibilities there, and isn't that a great thing?

What kind of redemption are you looking for?