Nothing is Wasted
Background Story: The book of Romans was written by the Apostle Paul as a letter to the church of Rome.
Read Romans 8:26-32
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
Big Idea: God wastes nothing in our life.
Do you know someone who is the master at leftovers? They can take a leftover turkey and transform it into turkey noodle soup, turkey casserole, turkey pot pie, and the list keeps going. Every single leftover scrap is turned into something new so nothing is wasted.
God is the same way! God takes every struggle, circumstance, failure, or pain and uses it for a greater purpose. Even the areas in our life that might cause embarrassment are areas that He can repurpose for His glory. He wastes nothing in our life but uses each to transform us and to transform others.
How? Pain can transform into purpose as God heals our brokenness and then uses us to help others who are hurting. Our weaknesses transform into mercy helping us to identify and have patience with others who struggle. Our failures transform into grace helping us see God’s love for us and others more clearly. Our trials transform into resilience as God strengthens us today so we can be stronger in the future and also strengthen others.
Today offer God your past struggles, pain and failures in prayer. Ask Him to help you see purpose in today’s struggles and to open your eyes to others hurting around you.
Takeaway Verse:
Song for Today:
Looking For More?
Similar Devotions: Bring Everything, The Great Exchange, A Memorial, Leave the Pigs, Becoming Mature, Life’s Not Fair, A Different Love, My Identity, The Restless Heart, It’s Never Time to Quit
