Diamond in the Rough

My mom has downsized her living space. She has had to downsize quite a few times over the last ten years. Each time she moves, there are more items that need a new home...some with precious memories and use have found their way into the homes of her kids. I have a coffee table that was cut from a tree in Papua New Guinea, where I grew up. That’s not the most interesting part of this piece of furniture. The wood is called Rain Tree, but most of the natives consider it garbage wood. It is so soft that they can’t carve it. It has no value for burning. A tree would fall, and with all the humidity of a tropical climate, it would begin to deteriorate fairly quickly. This is why this table is of such great value to me. Someone figured out that if you cut the trunk and large branches at an exact angle, this garbage actually had some holding power. It would be cut, sanded, and varnished well. Three legs are screwed onto the bottom, and it ends up being one of the most beautiful coffee tables I have seen. Imagine... taking something that the professionals of the world thinks is garbage and turning it into a masterpiece. It’s a miracle. Likewise, if you have submitted to God and walk by faith, you also are that miracle. What do I mean? God’s design was that you live in perfect unity and harmony with God, free from sin and un-effected by sin. But instead, because of what Adam and Eve did by sinning in the garden, you were born in sin... garbage, refuse, and of no heavenly value. Then along came the Master who knew just what to do to make that sinful life good again. How? By removing our debt so that we no longer belonged to Satan. Through God's forgiveness, you not only have purpose, but you are a master -piece, created to glorify God. As the cut lumber was varnished to protect the wood and bring out its natural beauty, so in Christ, you have been made new. When you came to Him in faith, He covered you in His blood which brings out your true beauty... righteousness, Holiness, and true freedom. Praise God! Just as I don’t need to keep varnishing the wood, Jesus doesn’t need to keep being sacrificed. Let your beauty shine so the world might see Jesus in you. Father, thank You for sending Jesus to rescue us. Help us understand that is not by our might or power, but by Your Spirt we are saved. Amen