Rescued from the Burn Bin by Phil

Several weeks ago I wanted to make a birthday gift for my preacher buddy so I went to the back yard and grabbed a log. I cut off a section, mounted it on my lathe and started turning. Almost immediately I ran into a soft spot of decay. I thought I'd turn past that area, so I kept going deeper but didn't come to the end of the spongy-ness. Finally, I gave up and threw the log into my burn bin. When the burn bin gets full I pull my mobile fire pit onto the driveway and start it blazing. (Note to self: always keep some hotdogs or marshmallows close by in case the fire department shows up.) I found another section of the log that was more intact and turned a piece I called "Poured Out-The Pastor's Cup." It is a cup with the bowl cut diagonally so anything poured in will spill out. I thought that was an accurate depiction of a pastor - God pours His message into the pastor which then pours out to the congregation.

Some time later I was cleaning up in the shop and noticed the discarded, spongy outcast. I decided to see if it could be turned into anything at all so I rescued it from the burn bin and put it back on the lathe. With some patience and determination I did eventually get past the soft spot and ended up with a really cool vase. Now, instead of roasting in the fire pit, it sits proudly on my desk.

That whole experience made me think of our relationship with the Master craftsman. Sin causes rot and decay to our souls, making us unfit for the purpose God has for us. We all suffer from this affliction of sin (Romans 3:23), and as a result we all are cast into the burn bin destined for the ultimate eternal fire pit. But God reaches down into that pile of outcasts, picks us up and starts to work in our lives - carving away the decayed spots and reshaping us into useful vessels. The difference is the wood didn't have a choice when I decided to redeem it... we do. God won't force His will onto our lives, but if we invite and allow Him to work on us, the result is amazing.

If God is calling out to you today, don't resist. Let Him lovingly remake you into what you were always intended to be. It's a slow process that will last the rest of your life here on earth, but oh, is it worth it! Hell is real, and it is our deserved destination. BUT GOD... two of the most beautiful words in the Bible. As the old hymn says, "Redeemed, redeemed, Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb."

Redeemed.

Remade in the image of Christ.

Released from the bonds of sin.

Restored to our position as sons and daughters of God.

Refreshed, renewed, rejuvenated...
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What a reason to Rejoice!
Phil and Pam

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