By Pastor Don Schatz

You are Valuable

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

There is a show on one of the cable channels in which two pairs of persons are given money.  They are then taken to a Flea Market where they spend the money on items that they think they can repurpose.  Turn an old sewing machine into a bar cart, that sort of thing.  Then they set about repurposing those items, after which they take them to the same Flea Market and compete to see which pair makes the most money.  It is pretty amazing how creative people can be.

Thanks be to the Lord that he has repurposed us!  From sin and sinners, he has made us holy and children of God.  From egotistical and devoted to self, he has made us servants and devoted to serving and loving God and our neighbor.  From condemned to redeemed.  From dead to alive to God in Jesus Christ.  From hunted and haunted by death to people in Christ who will never perish. 

Talk about creative!  Oh, that reminds me.  From something old, the Lord created us anew in Christ Jesus.  In that sense, we are more than repurposed.  We are completely new in Christ.  Renewed in Christ.  We have a purpose in Christ.

“…so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.”
Ephesians 1:12. English Standard Version

It is a wonder to me that everything we do, think or say can “be to the praise of God’s glory.”  There can be no better purpose to life, focus for life, or reason for existence.  We live to praise the Lord.  We live to be to the praise of his glory!”

That gives enormous value to our lives.  We are valuable for our family and friends, for the Church, for co-workers, fellow students, neighbors.  You add to the list.  Only you can be to the praise of God’s glory in the unique way God recreates you in Christ.  How much he loves you.  Enjoy “getting out there” today and living to the praise of God’s glory.  Amen?!

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado