Redemption Centers

By Joni and Friends|Published On: July 9, 2019|Categories: 4-Minute Radio Program|

Hi there, it’s Joni and Shauna and we’re talking about stories of redemption.

SHAUNA: Oh Redemption is such a beautiful, powerful word. To define it through Scripture, it simply means the forgiveness of sins or the clearing of the debt.

JONI: That’s right! Colossians 1:14 says that God has rescued us from the dominion of darkness (talk about redemption) and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have the forgiveness of sins. That is redemption.

SHAUNA: Oh, and I love the picture we get from Colossians 1:14 where we see that because Jesus has paid our debt, we get to trade that dominion of darkness for God’s heavenly Kingdom. And that’s the ultimate trade! It’s that’s actually another definition for redemption; to exchange or to swap one thing for another. You know, that’s something I think about every time I bring my empty water or soda bottles to the recycling or redemption center. I drop off dirty, used up plastic bottles and in exchange, I get cold hard cash that I can use to purchase something of value. At the redemption center, we trade in worthless things for things that are truly valuable.

JONI: Boy isn’t’ that a picture of what happens to us in Christ! And it happens all the time with our Wheels for the World and Chair Corps and the redemption or restoration centers that, uh, we put up in local prison all across the US.

SHAUNA: You know, I was just talking to two of our fabulous Chair Corps volunteers – Greg King and John Haigh – and they were explaining one of the many reasons they love volunteering their time by collecting used wheelchairs and then driving them to the local prison so they can be restored, is that it’s a constant reminder God redeems everything. In fact, Greg always says that being a Chair Corps volunteer reminds him that no matter where we are, God wants to use us for His glory. When we think we may not be useful to the world, we’re still – we’re always – useful to God!

JONI: I love it! He redeems it all, from broken–down wheelchairs to broken–down bodies; from the person donating the chair to the volunteers transporting it to the prisoners who are restoring that chair all the way to the wheelchair recipient receiving the chair in a developing nation – all the broken places in our lives and in our hearts, and all the dirty, worthless sins we’ve committed – Jesus trades it all for a life of great, great value. I love that.

SHAUNA: Aww, Greg even described the worst looking wheelchair he’d ever seen. He said that when he picked it up he thought it would be totally impossible that it would ever be of any use. But at the Restoration Center, that very chair was used for parts, and it became a reminder God can even use what we consider junk to make something brand-new and useful!

JONI: And you know, again, not just a wheelchair, but a life. So many people think that there’s no possibility for me to be used of God in any way. I’m of no use. So much dirt in my life. So much that I can’t even forgive myself for. But when God forgives us, anything is possible. And you know, Shauna, thank you for this reminder today! And friend, if you’re wondering if you have anything to offer; if you haven’t really been feeling useful or valuable lately, please give all those cares to Jesus. ‘Cause He’s gonna redeem your past – He’ll even redeem your present – and He’ll trade what was for a glorious future full of true value in serving Him here on earth, and full of eternal value when He brings us into that heavenly kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins! Oh, ah, Shauna, mentioned Greg and John, and if you’d like to see their photos serving with our Chair Corps, collecting wheelchairs, then go to joniradio.org today! And while you’re there, share your story of redemption with us. When you have a chance today drop by joniandfriends.org.