The Beauty of Atonement

Have you ever been in a situation where you are causing self inflicted pain? It is a pain that can take all forms; insecurities, depression, shame, guilt, isolation, misery and can evolve into unhealthy relationships, addictions and co-dependent behavior. It’s almost as though you are a martyr for some reason or cause. The only person you think you are hurting is yourself. There is a void inside of you and you find yourself becoming a human sacrifice. It could be apparent or it could be sub-conscience. These things start from a feeling of unworthiness and can grow into larger issues.

This is what you call atonement.

Atonement – “The making of reparation for a sin or a mistake”

It can be to repair or makes amends for something or it can be in the form of self sacrifice/self inflicted pain.

Personally, I know that I often find myself trying to atone for my sins and then at times for the grace and mercy that I feel is undeserved. I have a tendency to try over-work, over-achieve and give to where it’s almost taking everything out of me.

When you have been where I have been, surrounded by nothing but turmoil but then make it out almost unscratched, it can be quite devastating. You may appear shiny and new, but the internal scars remain. You just can’t see them becasue they are so deep within. It’s like being thrown in a tornado, with havoc, chaos and destruction all around you and all of a sudden, you made it out. But where is everyone else? They were victims of the tornado and weren’t as fortunate as you. You then start to question, "Why me? Why did I make it out and not them?" The guilt can be overwhelming. You also become anxious because you are aware of the responsibility that it carries so that obligation evolves into an obsession.

Or maybe you are one of the ones that didn’t make it out of the tornado. You witnessed others survive and you wonder, "Why didn’t I make it out? Why was I left behind? Am I not important?" Then you find yourself drowning in sorrow, and it seems like the tornado is the only thing you know, so you stay but don't realize that you can make it out, but it's so hard to step outside what has always been.

The beauty of atonement is that we already have it. The reason Christ endured that long walk carrying His cross was to atone FOR us so we don’t have to. He sacrificed for us, shielded us, atoned for all of our sins. Yes, ALL of them.

So today, I ask you. What are you trying to atone for?

Quit trying to atone for something that was already paid for by Jesus. He paid a hefty ransom for us. He freed us. Our ransom from the slavery of sin means we have atonement. Instead of trying to make reparations for your sins, turn to Christ and give praise for the priceless gift that He gave and ask Him how to use you to glorify Him.

“You know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” 1 Peter 1:18-19

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time.” 1 Timothy 2:5-6

Be blessed this week!

© Copyrights, All rights reserved
March 2010

Katrina Green
President
Butterfly Ministries, Inc.

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