Redemptive Time

Today I was reading a section of a book about "redemptive time". I found many aspects of the discussion relevant to my life right now. There are seasons in every person’s life – a time to keep and a time to throw away. For years I have been keeping junk, stuff that “you never know” you might need. For the past year as we have planned an eventual departure from Africa we have been doing a lot of downsizing, purging our home of unused and unnecessary things. Little by little we have made decisions about virtually every item we possess – does it bear some special memory that I must hold on to it as a keepsake? Is it something that is still very useful to me? Would I have to buy another one in the US if I got rid of this one? Is it something I can live without? Is it too bulky to take home in a suitcase? Should I sell some in a garage sale? Should I throw it away?

Jim and I are in a period of transition in our lives, moving from one continent and way of life to another. We will need to rebuild our lives in a new context, but we aren’t quite where we need to be to rebuild. We are still in that stage where we are decluttering and purging out the unnecessary stuff. This is a hard place to be sometimes. It is hard because it is a place of “limbo”, and in many ways the progress we so desire is still out there, illusive. The dream we want to build is still far off. There is still so much clutter to get rid of and get out of the way, and the remainder of our time here that we need to complete to "finish well". I am trying to see the decluttering and waiting as part of the building process so that I do not grow discouraged.

People always want quick fixes. I want a quick fix. But change and transition takes time. The same is true with life in general. Life is often a desert journey that takes time. Just like a quick cheap thrill may feel good, but only a faithful loving relationship with a married spouse brings real intimacy. A get-rich-quick scheme may lure us, but blessings come through restraint, self-control, careful planning and saving. Time. Quick diet fads promise to help us lose weight, but only a life-long commitment to a disciplined approach will help us maintain a healthy weight. Medication can help us cope temporarily with crisis and depression, but they do always help us build the character we need to persevere through life.

I am drawn to the example of the papaya tree. We have many in our yard in Africa. They seem to sprout up everywhere, wherever the seeds fall. They are one of the fastest growing trees I have ever seen, often bearing fruit in the first year. Their wood however is soft and airy. Often the tree falls after 5 years or so, too tall to bear its own weight. So too without time growth is not mature or healthy growth, and is doomed for failure. Without time healing is only temporary and does not endure when another crisis arise. Someone once said “the longest distance between two points is the shortcut.” How many times have I found that true trying to get out of a traffic jam.

In Mark 4 Jesus talks about how a farmer plants grain and it grows on its own “thought he does not know how”. That teaches us that we cannot will growth into happening. It just happens. And it takes time. God makes it happen. Just like he makes our bodies heal after they are wounded. He also makes our hearts heal after they are wounded – after the cancer is removed of course. We cannot hide a part of ourselves. If our true self is hidden or suppressed, it may not grow with the rest of us and is left behind. When our true selves are placed in God’s hands in the presence of redemptive time, He can make us into His reborn, remoulded creation for His glory.