Redeeming Value

I just finished watching the movie The Soloist. It is a moving about the real life story of a man blessed with a tremendous gift of music set back by his struggles with mental illness. It is stated in the movie that the main character, Nathaniel Ayers Jr., suffers from schizophrenia. This is a mental illness that causes the brain to process information in a way that distorts what is being seen and heard.

The movie tries to convey the struggles and humanity of not only Ayers, but of all those that find themselves homeless and suffering from mental illness. During the course of the movie Ayers makes the statement,"I think God made a mistake when he made me. I don't think he wants anything to do with me (paraphrase)." This was a heartrending statement by Ayers.

As I thought more and more about Ayers stated belief that God made a mistake when he made him I began to think that he isn't alone in his assessment. I believe at some point in time many people have felt like a "mistake." They look at their lives, their struggles, their deficiencies, their pain and suffering, their decisions, and wonder-was all this a mistake? Folks look at where they are in life and think how can God use me? They wonder if life is worth fighting for? They wonder is there any redeeming value?

Such questions are frightening. Yet, they are the reality of life for many. The good news is that no matter how bad it is your life is worth redeeming. Your life has value. I think back to Moses. Here was a man that found out at approximately age 40 that he was on the wrong side of the battle. It was around that time that he came to realize that he was part of a kingdom that had enslaved and murdered his people. In an act of rage he killed a man. Moses would flee to the wilderness for fear of losing his life as a consequence of his actions.

While in the wilderness Moses receives a call from God to return to Egypt to free his people from bondage. Moses responds by telling God all of his short comings. God responds by telling Moses He knows exactly who and what Moses is and sent him on his way. To make a long story short, Moses through a series of events did as God commended him and liberated his people. Moses' life was redeemed by doing what God wanted him to do and using what God gave him.

Are you like Nathaniel Ayers or Moses? Do you feel at times that God has made a mistake or that you don't have what it takes? Have you made choices in life that have led you to believe that you can't be redeemed? Don't believe it. God has created us all with a purpose. That purpose comes with the understanding that we are but dust (frail), yet equipped with what we need to do God's will. Christ redeemed and equipped us all with gifts and talents. For Mr. Ayers, his story has helped to shed light on those that are homeless and mentally ill. Ayer's has also shared the beautiful gift of music with many. For Moses, he turned out to be the chief figure of the old testament. You can not recall the history of the Israelites without the story of Moses. And for you......well only you and God know that. Ask God to reveal how he wants to redeem your life and your gifts-sufferings, shortcomings, mistakes, and all. No matter what you are struggling with you have REDEEMING VALUE.