Garbage

             Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (I Peter 1:3)

                Something happened this morning that isn’t unusual to me, but that connects to this verse, at least after a fashion. As the communion crew finished prepping for tomorrow, one of the team collected stuff to throw out. She’d already flattened the box, which wasn’t of interest to me, but there were two gizmos that, when pressed down on the grape juice bottles, formed a handle so one could pick up two at the same time. I asked for those gizmos. If they do what I want them to, they’ll make watering plants easier. We’ll see.

                I say this isn’t unusual because at work, my coworkers know that I want to bring home cores from register tapes and weed barrier bolts, boxes, and lots of other worthless stuff. I’m one of those “this is a nice box, it might be useful for something” sort. Sometimes, I end up throwing them out, but many times, I find some use. For example, the register tape cores have been made into risers to lift planting trays up a little, so I don’t have to mess with the grow lights as often. I recognize that some might say this is bordering on hoarding, but as I said, I do throw things out or give them away, too. I also collect litter on my walks, and put the plastic and metal into recycling bins. I’ve earned a few dollars from the bags of cans I’ve taken to a recycler.

                As I looked at this verse of the day on BibleGateway.com, I knew I had to deal with the concept of mercy, and the “rescue” these things I bring home came to mind. Some could call the stuff trash, and they’re not wrong. They’re worthless to most of the world, ready to be added to a landfill or, if we’re somewhat luckier, in a recycling center. If I do throw them out, I’ll recycle what can be.

And all that stuff I’m talking about is us. We’re worthless pieces of stuff that don’t deserve to be kept, let alone used. And you know we don’t deserve to be treasured. That what the world says about us. That’s what Satan says about us. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the people we think love us don’t think the same thing. I have no doubt that some of us don’t think it about ourselves. And I suspect that God recognizes the truth of the claims. We are worthless garbage that doesn’t even have value for recycling.

But that’s precisely what mercy is. The whole universe can say, “Trash” but God decides to pick us up, look at us from various angles, and consider the possibilities. Don’t misunderstand, I’m only ignoring God’s omniscience for a moment. He knew His plans for us before the foundation of the world, but let’s use a little artistic license. He considers the possibilities and chooses not to throw us out. And unlike my primitive, unartistic creations, when He decides to make something of us, it’s a treasure and a masterpiece, even if we don’t see it.