#191 Redemption

When I was a student at Trinity Christian College (Go Trolls!), we met for chapel twice a week in the Grand Lobby of our chapel building. This space had huge windows looking out towards the library, and hanging in front of these windows was a six-piece stained-glass mural called "Creation Redeemed." Here's a couple pictures:

(This is backwards, but it gives you a better look at the details.)

A red band weaves across the panels with a quote from Colossians 1:17: "He is before all things and in Christ all things hold together." I must have spent hours looking at that stained glass during my years at Trinity. I think that this artwork has had a profound impact on my theology. Reformed Christians (like me) believe that Jesus' work of redemption centers on saving His people from sin and death through His death and resurrection. But we believe that's not all. Jesus' redeeming work touches every area of life and every corner of creation as He claims all things under His authority. Or, to quote Ephesians 1:7-10: "In [Christ] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ."

As Christians we don't have some sort of spiritual life that's distinct from the rest of our lives. God cares about every part of our lives because the whole world belongs to God. God's people live for Him and do His work in every human field. God's work is cosmic in the sense that it encompasses everything. But God's work is also very down-to-earth because He calls us to point to Him and represent Him in our work, our families and relationships, our politics, our finances, our community involvement, our growth and learning, our hobbies. We can see signs of God's work and be His instruments as He carries out His purposes in business and broadcasting, in medicine and mechanics, in technology and trades, in engineering and ecology, in psychology and social work, in athletics and agriculture, in literature and law. Our God is great and grand. He is working to drive sin and evil out of every part of our lives and our world. God's love and power cover all things, giving us purpose and hope. God triumphs. God saves. God reigns.

Grace and peace,

BMH