Something From Nothing

The walk to school itself is an adventure--excited children, steep hills, interesting people and of course, everyone is excited to greet and walk right beside the white people making the journey with the kids.  The trip was made even more exciting when this one man began to play music.  It didn't look like he had much--only a bone, some wire, a stick with a banana-fibre bow and a bit of padding, but the music that came out of this unique instrument was unlike anything ever heard before (kind of like a vilolin and a banjo mixed together).  A crowd soon gathered, enjoying the tune.  When he was done, applause all around.  Who would have thought these seemingly useless items could be brought together to create music?  

Creativity abounds here.  What is lacking in tools is made up for by unstoppable creativity and ingenuity.  A few days ago, one of our youngest girls was patiently tying a piece of wire around a stick and a broken lid. After a few attempts, she stood up and tested it--success!  The wheel on a stick worked perfectly.  A new toy was created.  

Businesses are built from creative minds.  There's a furniture company that uses a hammer, planer, and small handsaw.  The finished product is beautiful!  

What we would automatically discard or write off as junk or garbage is given an opportunity to serve a new purpose here.  Instead of continuing in our "throw-away society" mentality, we need to look for hidden possibilities and the treasure among the rubble.  

How great God is at doing this with us!  When we reach a point of wanting to give up on ourselves or our dreams or manage to convince ourselves that we will never amount to anything, God delights in taking our brokeness, hurts and losses and making them into something beautiful, useful and treasured by Him.  

Let's not be so quick to give up on others or ourselves.  Scripture reminds us again and again that God delights in using the unlikely to carry out His master Plan.  When I feel small and insignificant, I think of David--overlooked by his own father.  If I feel inadequate, I remember Gideon--he hid when danger came!  What about feeling unworthy of God's grace and forgiveness?  Bathsheba, Rahab, even Ruth--each of these women were so completely accepted by God, they are listed in the lineage of Christ!  

Next time we feel quick to judge, discard or count ourselves or someone else out, remember that God sees the treasure while the rest of the world only sees broken garbage.  Oh that we may see with heavenly eyes!