Choosing to Sing

Old pirates, yes, they rob I

Sold I to the merchant ships

Minutes after they took I from the bottomless pit

But my hand was made strong by the hand of the Almighty

We forward in this generation

Triumphantly

Won't you help to sing

These songs of freedom?

'Cause all I ever have

Redemption songs

Redemption songs

~"Redemption Song" Written by Bob Marley and Edwin Hawkins

I realize Bob Marley may be an unusual start to one of my articles, but Redemption Song is one of my favorites. It's such a simple melody with a powerful and timeless message: We have to choose for ourselves redemption. 

Years ago, I sat on our sofa reading to one of the children I love most in this world. As I kept my eye on the clock nearby, I tried to stay focused. In less than thirty minutes, I would log on to a court hearing deciding the fate of this dear child and his sister. Would they remain with us? or would they be returned to their parents? My heart was racing, and my stomach was churning as I read the Children's Bible account of Joseph, thrown into a dark, deep pit by his brothers. Oh, how I could relate at that moment! "I've got to take care of something," I said as I closed the book. "We'll leave Joseph in the pit...for now," I added, not exactly certain what I meant by that.

Last night, more than three years after those anxious moments, I turned the page. Our answer had come quickly that day: The children will be picked up in two hours. The indescribable, unanticipated level of grief that settled on our home --for months! I'd never experienced a loss like that, and though I knew I'd be delivered, I wasn't at all sure how. But it was in the months and months of pressing into the Lord, saturating my heart and mind with His truth and worshiping through song and tears, it was through the dark days and even darker nights that followed, our adoption journey began. And as last night, I read to the beautiful child that has currently come to share our home, the Redemption Song sung over us was not lost on me. 

The Lord your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.
~ Zephaniah 3:17

I was able to turn the page because of the redemption acquired on my behalf at the cross, because when redemption was far from apparent, I trusted in the One who calls things that are not as though they are, because I gave my grief and confusion to the One who is mighty to save, because He is working all things out for my good no matter how tragic they seem for the moment. I did not affect my own redemption, but I chose it, and as a result, was able to experience all Jesus had done for me: forgiveness, hope, joy, new beginnings, and restoration. Yes, restoration. You see, those two much-loved children who captured our hearts daily are once again, a part of our lives today. Along with their parents. Along with their younger sibling. That's what I'd call redemption! What is the Redemption Song Jesus is singing over you? Have you chosen to sing it with Him?