The Road to Restoration

"'Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says The Lord Almighty."
                                                                                                                          Zechariah 4:6


     Each one of us are on a journey towards complete restoration in Christ. When we are born, we are given diverse families, environments, and gifts. Our lives are unique and uniquely designed for purpose and productivity. Although our world is fallen, we are still privileged to be image bearers of our God. Despite the ironies that abound, God's ultimate goal for each one of us is a consummated and perfect restoration, which reflects His goodness and nature.
     When God restores us we are renewed, revived, and reestablished to a former unimpaired condition. Restitution of all that was lost or taken will be given. We will enter eternity lacking nothing- redeemed, refined, and restored. And, as if this were not enough, God also lavishes us with rewards for the lives we have lived in obedience to Him!
     Restoration is a promise from God given to His children. In order to receive God's promises, He petitions us to ask Him. "Call unto Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know." (Jeremiah 33:3). God's promises lead us to the gospel of Christ, the truth in His Word, and peace to assist us in our journey.
     Unfortunately, we face the stark reality that so much in our world today is broken: broken hearts, broken marriages, broken families, broken dreams, broken finances, broken bodies, broken self-images, broken spirits, broken relationships, broken souls, broken authority, broken vision, and broken destinies. The good news is that God is the Master of restoring all that is broken back to a state of wholeness. It is His specialty, as He is the God of Restoration.
     Not one of us has the ability to restore everything in our lives. Only God does. The caveat seems to occur when we try to do things in our own strength or in the way we think they should be done. It is only in the guidance, power, and timing of the Holy Spirit that brings restoration to all that is broken. The fulfillment occurs over time as we obediently take one right step at a time. Often, our greatest opponents lie within: our flesh, our selfishness, and our narcissism.
     We traverse through many circumstances and obstacles. At times, our paths are narrow and crooked and frought with dangers. There are mountains and valleys and floods and fires. Despite these, God assures us, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you." (Isaiah 43:2).
     Because our individual journey takes place in a land that is foreign to us, we are given Jesus as our guide and companion. There is security in knowing we will not traverse one inch without Him. Our Heavenly Father also provides us with a divine backpack that houses every essential we will need: truth, peace, strength, wisdom, and individualized gifts needed for success (sort of like super powers, if you will). God establishes our course and gives us the path to follow. We try to hasten or delay our travels only to recognize the futility. Ultimately, we all understand that God's sovereignty reigns supreme.
     Jesus never lacks compassion for the challenges we face. At times, scripture tells us His heart even breaks for us. He knows there are times we are harassed, helpless, and lost (Matthew 9:36). He understands when no one else is even capable of understanding. He loves us when we are completely unlovable. He can help us when not another human being can. Christ alone is our "ever-present help in trouble".  (Psalm 46:1).
     God takes no pleasure in our pain and suffering. When He does allow pain and suffering in our lives, it will always be used for our benefit if our lives are yielded to Him. God will use painful circumstances to produce godly sorrow  (in us or others) that leads to repentance and restoration in Him. If we persevere in the midst of our trials, He will allow us to become conduits of a His comfort and mercy towards others. God "comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." 
( 2 Corinthians 1:4).
     Redemption always precedes restoration because the most important aspect of  restoration is that we first be restored to our Redeemer. As with a bridegroom and a bride, Jesus already said, "I did" and we are to respond to Him with, "I do". The apostle, Paul, tells us that God "has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." ( 2 Corinthians 1:22). Redemption is essential first because sin distorts and disfigures us to such an extent that we cannot even see God's original purpose and design.
     Sanctification follows our salvation. This occurs only through our submission and trust in Christ alone. As we follow Him, we are challenged to dig deeper within our souls so that we can come up higher in our walk with Him. Maturation is two-fold-- both spiritually and emotionally. We can mature spiritually and be bankrupt emotionally, and vice versa. Both must eventually occur to have power in our walk with God.
     When we are mature, spiritually and emotionally, our primary concern will be for the spiritual and emotional well-being of others. The fruit of selfishness is isolation. While there were times Jesus would go to be alone with His Father, those times were transient and were always for the benefit of others. That is God's way.
     Spiritual wholeness requires walking in the Spirit and being led by God. Emotional wholeness requires that we trust ourselves enough to be insightful and make sound choices. One of the biggest recurring mistakes I have made in my life is by assuming that saying "yes" to others was always the most loving and godly thing to do. It is not. Forgiveness does not always demand reconciliation, especially if it is to the detriment of one or both parties.
     While our words and actions should always be mindful of restoration for all people involved, reconciliation is not always God's will. Co-dependence, addictions, and abusive relationships preclude the Lordship of Jesus in our lives. Total freedom and deliverance is the indicator for true reconciliation. We must proactively pursue counsel and resources to obliterate the hindrances that litter our paths.
     If the scenery of your journey looks more like ancient ruins or places long devastated, don't lose heart. God does have a plan. You will find that the view will change when we practice gratitude in lieu of grieving for that which was lost or stolen. We must kick guilt and shame to the curb. We clear the path of self-destructive patterns when we see ourselves the way that God does. Dysfunction is banished when we view it from the vantage of the One who is the way, the truth, and the life. Perfectionism is no longer necessary when we conceptualize there is only One who is truly perfect and His home is not on this earth.
     We do not have to carry all the burdens we do. Our life is a marathon, not a sprint. Let go of every burden you have, whether it is for yourself or someone else. Do not allow others to throw their burdens on you. Entrust every heavy thing into the capable hands of the One who heals and restores. Breathe. Laugh. Enjoy the scenery. Remember who your traveling companion is. No matter where we travel, we are with the best partner in the world! He will make a way where there is no way!


"Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path."  (Psalm 119:105).