Stories of Redemption and Smashed Rings

I fumbled around with the bag of sweaty clothes that I had just thrown into the trunk of my car as I looked for the ring I had been wearing before I went for a jog.

I didn’t know the exact time, but I knew I had to get to the school library soon so that I wouldn’t be late for my evening shift. The ring seemed to be nowhere in sight, unfortunately, so I made the short trip to my job in resignation and promptly told a friend sitting outside of the library about my loss.

The ring wasn’t very expensive, and perhaps some people would find it silly for me to be so sad about it. But I hate losing things, and it was also one of two rings that I had bought while living in Mexico, so it was sentimental to me.

Looking at the clock, my friend suggested I retrace my steps. He was certain I could search a few more minutes and even offered to help. So, we raced back to the other side of campus and soon found the ring, shining in the sunlight and smashed upon the road.

Neither of us were able to undo the damage that had been done, but then my friend remembered a mutual friend that specialized in jewelry making. So, soon after, I contacted her, and she gladly agreed to help. 

Days turned into weeks, and my friend contacted me at one point to let me know that this particular piece of jewelry was proving to be a bit challenging. She would need more time, which was fine by me. 

Weeks turned into months, and there was still no word on the ring. Soon, I had graduated and was moving down south for a job at a Spanish speaking seminary. Still, I had not forgotten about the ring. Several months into my stay, I contacted her about my jewelry.

At this point, my friend kindly responded by letting me know that she felt a bit irritated that I had never offered to pay for her services. The ring was taking more of her time and resources than she ever expected it to, and that, in turn was keeping her from other projects that could be making her money.

It was an embarrassing email to receive, most of all because I was mortified by how ignorant and ill-mannered I had been. But I apologized for my naivete and offered to pay, and she sent me the bill, agreeing to finish repairs soon and ship me the ring.

I sent the check, and she sent the ring, adjusting it to fit me even better. And I wish I could say it was that easy. However, the whole ordeal was a bit painful to me because the cost to repair it was nearly three times its actual purchase price! But I started to understand something after mailing that check and waiting for that ring. I started to see the gospel more clearly. 

The truth is, we’re all like that ring. We were created to be used by God for His good purposes and to walk closely with Him as we glorify His name, but the sin that entered the world through Adam and Eve has marred us all and has separated us from Him. Our sin separates us from Him.

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience.”

Ephesians 2:1-2 ESV

But God, being rich in mercy, provided a way.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, [5] even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.”

Ephesians 2:4-5 ESV

He purchased us back through the blood of His own Son. Jesus paid the price so that we who were dead in our sins could believe and be redeemed.

Although my ring was relatively inexpensive when I bought it, it held much more worth to me when I paid so much more  for it to be restored. How much more value must we have, then, that Jesus would pay for us with His own blood!

We were created by Him, and now He has given us a way to be restored and redeemed by Him, too. There is no greater love than this! We are so precious to Him, and I’m glad to have a physical object that reminds me of just that.

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 

John 15:13 ESV