Redemption is God’s Business. In Hangin’ by a Moment Andrea Christenson and Susan May Warren explore the redemption question in a very creative way. After his release from prison, Jack Stewart, the hero, heads to Deep Haven to start a new life. All he wants is to keep his conviction a secret and keep to himself. He doesn’t want a relationship until he meets Colleen Decker. Hangin’ by a Moment is a sweet romance with a little action, but it’s really much deeper than that.

Can you do something that makes you unredeemable?

This is an age-old question many struggle over. It’s easy to carry guilt or shame over something in our past we should surrender to God. Jack carries a lot of baggage about the crime he committed. And, the turmoil within him keeps him from believing he is worthy to have good things in his life. Jacks friend Boone Buckam reminds him at one point that “God is in the redemption business. No matter what you’ve done. He offers fresh starts.” Isn’t that a reassuring statement? It does seem too easy, but if we approach the Lord with a repentant heart, He is faithful to redeem us.

Does God redeem your past?

Boone goes on to add this wonderful gem, “You know, Jack, sometimes God uses a person because of what they’ve done, not in spite of it.” Jack, and us, must believe God can take our dark experiences and use them to minister to people who feel trapped by their circumstances. For this to work, though, we have to be willing to share our experiences and I think this is where we sometimes fail. Like Jack, we want to keep our shameful past hidden, which doesn’t do anyone any good. If we can trust God does work out bad stuff for our good, then we can move past the shame so we can help others. God knows it won’t be easy, but He’s there to help us along the way.

Does God give us purpose through redemption?

Colleen doesn’t have a prison background, but traumatic events in her life have made her question what her real purpose is. When she returns to her hometown, she isn’t planning to stay until she gets a new career opportunity. As she’s wrestling with whether to pursue the new opportunity or return to her old life she has a heart-to-heart with her dad who offers her some very sound advice. “Sometimes we feel restless because we haven’t discovered what it is that God wants for us. We keep searching for things to fulfill the longing He has put in our heart, but we miss that the longing is for something He has called us to do.” Wise words if you ask me. And maybe what He’s calling us to do is to show how He has redeemed us.

Final Thoughts

Hangin’ by a Moment is a sweet, story with two very well-developed characters. As with all the books in this series, there is the message of God’s infinite love for us. You’ll revisit familiar places and see some old friends – some you might even get a little angry with for a few moments. There are several harrowing rescue scenes that will satisfy your love for action if you’re an action lover. It’s a very entertaining book that offers a message of hope – redemption is God’s business.

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