God’s Redemptive Love by Jason G. Lutz

I am of the mind that stories are the best way for me to encourage and teach God’s Word.  Christ Himself used parables, and I cannot think of a better role model.  So when we travel or when I read, I always look for stories to share.  Our anniversary trip to the battlefield of Antietam provided many.  Yet, what I want to share today is personal.

Elisa and I visited the battlefield on Saturday and had a wonderful time together.  Sunday morning I woke early and went out to hike in solitude.  Since we would not be attending services, I listened to Romans Chapters 7 and 8 on the drive.  This all lead to a Spirit directed revelation in the middle of a field: God, the Father, has redeemed and healed the ground.

The battle of Antietam is one of the worst days in our history.  Thousands of young men died on both sides and 10,000 or more from each army were hurt.  All, I am sure, lost something.  Yet, today on that very field the birds sing to the Glory of God, the wooded areas are dense and lush, the rolling hills are full of life, and the land gives substance to any number of God’s creatures.  In short, on a soft Spring morning it might just be the image of Heaven.

And this is the Power of God’s redemptive love.  If not for our remembrance of the past, which we should always look to, there is no reason to think that the Valley of the Antietam had once been hell.  He took that which sin mauled and made it beautiful again.

Grace be with you,

Jason