by Desiree Bustamante

Nothing is wasted when God repurposes your trash.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
    out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
    and steadied me as I walked along.
He has given me a new song to sing,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be amazed.
    They will put their trust in the Lord.”
Psalm 40:2-3 New Living Translation

People make a lot of trash. So much trash, in fact, that it is negatively impacting our environment. Some people are trying to alleviate the mountains of garbage produced each year by recycling anything possible to make new products out of old waste. Even recycling old coffee grounds can create a garden of healthy produce.

We are sinners and our lives are full of garbage. Even our righteous deeds are nothing but filthy rags to a holy, righteous God. But our loving God rescued us and our sinful life from the trash pile through the cleansing blood of His son Jesus Christ.

Just like our trash, we try to hide our sin from others and from God. But God asks us to step into His light with our trash exposed. Then He forgives us, creates a unique purpose for us and uses our past experiences, pain and redemption from sin as an example of His love and mercy. All so others might see our changed lives and turn to Him.

Nothing in your life is ever wasted! God has the power to heal, purify and change your heart and your life. So, the next time you take out your recycling, remember that God is making you into something new and asking you to share your story with those who do not yet know His love, forgiveness and grace. Your redeemed trash will be someone’s eternal blessing.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado