What happens to the pieces that no one wants? The scraps that others discard as worthless? My son Jon has taught me a powerful lesson through his woodworking that speaks directly to the heart of anyone who's ever felt broken beyond repair.
Despite soaring lumber prices, Jon creates beautiful furniture and art pieces using what others consider garbage – twisted, warped, or broken wood destined for the burn pile. With patience and vision, he strips away damaged layers to reveal pristine beauty beneath. "There isn't any piece of wood that is completely useless," he discovered. Each piece, no matter how damaged, can serve a purpose somewhere.
This woodworking metaphor perfectly captures God's work in our lives. We all know what it feels like to be the cast-off – bent by circumstances, warped by experiences, seemingly without purpose. Yet Scripture promises something remarkable: "If anyone is enfolded into Christ, he has become an entirely new creation. All that is related to the old order has vanished. Behold, everything is fresh and new." God specializes in transformation, creating beauty and purpose from what others have discarded.
When you feel worthless or believe the lie that you're beyond redemption, remember that God never places you on the discard pile. He sees the masterpiece waiting to emerge. If you're feeling broken today, know that God is working to create something new within you – something full of life, strength, and purpose – not because of what you can do, but because of His incredible love for you.
