Right to Redeem, a Levitical Lesson

I have been reading through the Bible with my Church. I haven't yet done this task in one single year of my life, so I'm trying to stay on track with it. Before I sit down to read for the day I ask God to open my eyes and ears to receive what Word he may have for me that day, with this prayer has come some interesting illuminations of the scriptures. Now I don't claim to have discovered some truth that NO ONE ELSE has ever realized, I just see these whispers of God breathed inspiration as something that God was using to speak to me where I am at right now. Now I have also learned lately that there is usually someone right next to me in the same spot, I just too often have tunnel vision all wrapped up about ME, so much so that I can't see my friend next to me. So I share this, just in case you are that dear friend standing here, dealing with the same issues, struggling with the same lies, or hurting over the same pains. I want you to know that you are set apart person, beloved of the most High King and a priest in the bloodline of Christ. So as we stand here with our tunnel vision straight ahead, let's pause and look at these gentle writings that God inked on my heart that are found amidst his dissertations to the Levitical Priests of old.

    +Leviticus 25:32 The Levites always have the right to redeem any house they have sold within the cities belonging to them

So this isn't the most amazing verse I've ever read. But let me try to not bore you as I give you the context. Here we are reading of the guidelines for the tribe of Levi as they were in the wilderness with Moses and the Israelites. This particular section of scripture Moses is delivering the instructions of the Lord on the subject of property. He explains how the land that is sold outside of the city walls cannot ever be redeemed by the people of Israel. It goes on and on about this until it comes down to talking about the Levite's ability to redeem their property. While all the other tribes would have to sell their property once and for all, God allowed for the Priests to claim back their property.

    I read this and a thought sparked, the priests, were able to ALWAYS, no matter what, claim back what was theirs. How many of us feel like we have let go of something that we may never get back? The bitterness that you've held onto for too long left a burn mark on the inside, you lost your peace. The impure thoughts and actions that dominated your life have left you feeling like a white washed tomb, you feel at a loss for inner purity. You spew angry words all the time at the people closets to you, you lost your contentment. We all have areas of our lives that we feel we lost. Maybe there are areas of your life, areas that are pieces of who you are and you feel the enemy, satan, has taken possession of these. You may even look at this passage and feel a twinge of envy for the priestly people of ancient times. They were able to redeem their property whenever they wanted-I can't even stand up to reclaim the strength God says I'm supposed to have.

    Did you know that "you are a chosen people. You are a kingdom of priests, God's holy nation, his very own special possession…" Did you read that? Maybe go over it again. Yep, still says the same thing. This scripture from 1 Peter 2:9 in context is speaking to the believers of the time. The ones who chose to embrace the cornerstone of the Church, Christ. It relates us to a kingdom of priests. WE are the chosen people. Do you feel it? When God whispered this to me my pulse picked up. Maybe this is part of the point. Maybe this is what God wants you to see at this place of your life-You are able to redeem, to claim, to take back the property that another has been occupying. Maybe this is what Leviticus is telling you right now, you can claim back the land you let be claimed by depression, the areas of your thoughts that you've given ownership over to worry, lust or pride.

    We are of the HIGH PRIEST's blood line, Christ was the ultimate intermediary between the human race and God the Father, and we are now called to act in the same manner, to intercede. And with this come the ability to redeem any area you have forfeited. So take up the land that you sold. Redeem the peace, redeem the direction, and redeem the joy. How? Take the authority that is in Christ and live not longer allow the enemy a foothold in the areas of your life that you have been weakest. Begin to operate in the priestly authority that you have-redeem what is rightfully yours. Do not let the thoughts and emotions that are from satan live in the land that you have a right to. You have the right to redeem.

I Wish My Life Was an Algebraic Equation

Have you ever gone through those times when there are these random circumstances that just stack up? Whether it's the daily stress or something major that hits you in the forehead-it is in those moments where the average person who gets to experience 'life' has two choices. Trust God to pick you up and make the best out of the situation or wallow in the confusion and self pity of the whys. You know those whys; they hid under your pillow at night and laugh at your sighs. They also seem to favor poking you in the eye whenever you start to read the Bible. Oh and don't forget the friendly whys that sneak up on you when you FINALLY had this part of your life lined up, those whys come in and pull that perfectly placed center piece of the obscure puzzle aside and now you don't even have that light blue blotch matched to go above that tree and under that slightly grey cloud.

Ok so maybe you don't take the evil 'why now?', 'why me?' or 'why this?' situations and equate them to obnoxious puzzles-but I wanted to share with you that in those moments, in the times when nothing makes sense-God does. I have found that God's faithfulness is the star of the show when I feel overwhelmed by all the little things or the not-so-little things. It is such a blessed thing to be able and rely on an unchanging God who, according to James 1:17 is "the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

So dear friend I write this little blog in efforts to encourage you in the midst of what you're going through, big or small –God takes note. Big or small, it matters to you-so it matters to him. Big or small-I too feel overwhelmed at times, and the only place of solace I find is in the arms of the Father who does not change, the one who is faithful when we are unfaithful. So where does puzzle pieces and algebraic equations come together in this heart rant of mine? The entry below is one of my journal entries with my expression of how I don't always understand the reasons for things, and how unfair logic can seem. There is a line that we have to find of logic and faith-but in the midst of this difficult task, we can ever lose track of God's faithfulness and the reality that HE has the plan all worked out, we just don't see the big picture or know where all the like colored puzzle pieces fit..So if you want to find a kindred heart that has felt lost and confused with why life doesn't just 'work' then hello friend, sit here with me and we'll see if where this puzzle piece may fit...

"Me? I am not one for mathematical processes to roll around in my head. But I kind of wish my life was a variable. You see, in math there are unknown variables. But through a known process the unknowns become more then Xs or Zs. Why doesn't the Xs of my life become 2s so they can add to 4? Why can't I have the steps written on the board in bright clear colors? Why do the number and letters all seem to run together? Where are the people who figured this out before me? Why can't I just try harder to understand and see the formula work?

I guess that sometimes you have to cancel out numbers to make the formula work, so the Xs blur my vision as frustrated tears fall and mix with the eraser shards on my failed attempts at working the formula out.

Me? I hate numbers. I hate how much sense they make. I hate that there is so much UnChAnGiNg logic to be wasted on formulas and processes when the unknowns Xs in my life involve God allowing me to be in community with imperfect plans and people. He is perfect, how wonderful that HE is faithful, yes he is my CONSTANT. However my variables seem to fluctuate from one side to the other. My logic gets tossed out the window and trampled underfoot as I hope the mud will clear to reveal neat rows of 1 2 3…

Me? I hate the unknowns, the Xs that taunt me. I just wish that my life was an algebraic equation…."

*Our only steadfast defense against life's certain uncertainty is unconditional trust in a Savior who loves us more than His own life. –Beth Moore

*Nevertheless my loving-kindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. –God (Psalm 89:33)