Redemption Is So Much Better Than Perfection

It’s the title of a song by Kristene Mueller. The title alone speaks volumes and moves me every time I think about it. So often we struggle for perfection when God is all about redemption. Think about it. Which is more beautiful, something perfect and in need of nothing, or something that has been devastated, broken beyond repair and put back together to such a condition that the brokenness is not even evident? We are tempted to take the credit with perfection. God gets the glory in redemption.

I was thinking just this morning about a situation in my life many years ago. David and I were living in another state working in inner city ministry. It was a difficult place to minister. At that point in our lives we didn’t even know what spiritual warfare was. We were so naive. We thought we could do inner city mission work, which had consumed our lives, without a spiritual covering. We were on a merry-go-round. Our marriage hit an all time low. Then I found out I was pregnant. Let me say loud and clear that I believe children are a blessing, but talk about timing. I had a few things to say to God about the matter. He surely did not know what He was doing.

Many years later I continue to marvel at the goodness of God and how He used that child to bring redemption in my marriage. I stood again this morning with tears in my eyes reminded of His goodness as that child spoke to a crowd of teenagers about being a servant of God. I could see the calling on his life. I could see the perfect timing of his life. I could see the blessing he is to so many. I could see today what I couldn't see many years ago. God didn’t just redeem and restore my marriage, He gave me a beautiful gift that I can look at everyday as a reminder of His great love for me; His goodness; His redemption.

Things lost, stolen, broken, thrown away, and used up are the things He works best with. They are like fresh clay in a potter’s hands. He doesn’t do much with perfection; except maybe humble us. If you find yourself thinking “it’s too late”, I pray you’ll be encouraged because there is One who longs to redeem your rubble for treasures.

The darker the night the brighter the day

The fiercer the fight the stronger the faith

So I place my hope in you

The deeper the sin the stronger the blood

The more to forgive the more reason to love

So I place my hope in you

In your ways oh God, redemption so much better than perfection

In your ways oh God, redemption so much better than perfection

over and over you prove yourself faithful

over and over you prove yourself a redeemer

So I place all my hope in You

Song by Kristene Mueller

Joy Fuller