Nothing Wasted – Romans 8:28

Wake Up Call

I remember once reading about a remote village in Asia that a journalist visited. Though the village was extremely poor it was idyllic as far as beauty and boasted clean air with a peaceful orderly life for the people. He noted that they had no garbage at all; nothing was ever thrown away, everything was used.

The journalist again visited a few years later after the village was opened to the influence of the outside world. What a change. Pollution had come via motorcycles rushing around and now the village had a rubbish heap at the edge of town filled with discarded items.

I’m struck by the idea that each of us has a garbage pile in our own lives. It’s the place we throw all the mistakes, broken dreams, sin, disappointments, wrong decisions and ruins from our past. We stick this trash somewhere off to the side so the defeat and disappointment won’t smell things up anymore than it already has.

Then along comes God like a Divine garbage picker. We throw it away and there stands God rifling through our garbage to salvage it for our good. Just like the Asian people the journalist first visited, everything is used. The Bible says; “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

That divorce – wrong choice – careless word – lost opportunity – God can use is all. What is smelly to us is suddenly turned into a sweet aroma. You don’t have to hide your rubbish heap; let the light of his grace shine a light on it instead. Since he is working it for your good just remember that nothing is wasted in his hands.

 

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