Whos, Grinches, Cindy Lou Who, and a Redemption Story

So I woke up this morning and I had an hour or so to kill so I decided to watch Dr. Seuss' classic "How The Grinch Stole Christmas". I wasn't looking for a blog topic (although an update was long overdue); and I wasn't looking for a picture of redemption- for crying out loud I was just going to watch the Grinch!

Let's think about the story of the Grinch, shall we? Here's a guy who is about as vile and contemptible as any dude can possibly get. His heart is full of unwashed socks and he's got termites in his soul! Or to put it another way, his brain is full of spiders and there's garlic in his soul!!! That's pretty bleak!

So this poor soul lives alone in isolation on the top of the mountain with just his co-dependent dog who's willing to go along with whatever shenanigans he comes up with just so he can have a friend. The Grinch is moved to hate those who seem to be selling out to the whole 'joy in community' business. He is so moved to hate that he decides to take all their stuff in attempts to end their good times!!! To put it in the words of a slammin' Tower of Power song, the Grinch thought that the Whos' happiness was like his, after the maxim of "you gotsta get what you want when you want when you need it". The Grinch thought they were as bound by material possessions as he was.

When the Grinch has his conversion on the top of Mount Crump and his heart grows 3 sizes, what is really happening is that the Grinch is being redeemed from his isolation into a real life of community. No more would life be defined by the stuff he had or didn't have but by life in community. He was redeemed from himself to live life with others.

I have been thinking all day about how this would translate into my situation. I need redemption. My circumstances do not at first appear to be like the Grinch's. I want everybody to have a good time. I want Christmas to come and I love being in community with others, especially one that is centered around the gospel. 

But I am in a situation that needs redeeming and I am learning that what I really need to continue to do is to let the Redeemer redeem this situation in my life however He sees fit. I am not the redeemer- I am not in charge of buying back any situation or person. God does an incredible job on just that note. 

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."