When our son was young, we affectionately called him, "Recycling Boy"!  It was his job to make sure all of our recycling was taken out and put into the proper bin.  Occasionally, (ok...more than occasionally), as I was cleaning the kitchen, I would call out, "Recycling Boy!  I need you!"  He would then come, like any super hero would, and obediently take all of our plastic, aluminum and glass to the garage for the weekly pick up.  It was important, we told him, not to be wasteful.  Recycling could turn a used, dented and dirty soda can into a brand new one. 

Recycling today is something we do almost without thinking.  City workers come by each week to pick up our discarded items to be salvaged and reconditioned.  But, long before we were in the habit of recycling, God was in the business.  It was His plan from the beginning!  We can rejoice today because He’s been saving the planet one soul at a time.

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

There isn’t one person among us who can say that they’ve never done anything wrong.  Sins from our past have tarnished our hearts and brought an ugliness to our lives.  Some of us may be thinking that the things we have done and said are too much to be cleaned, too wrong to be forgiven.  But that is not the case.  None of us are beyond the transforming hands of God.  He can and will forgive any who come to Him with a contrite heart.  God loves to recondition our broken and tarnished souls creating new, clean vessels though which His love will shine.  All we need to do is humble ourselves before the Lord and ask Him to change and forgive us.  When we do, the transformation is amazing!

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).

All of us can be made new when we give ourselves to Jesus Christ.  He is the Great Recycler, who gave His life to save so many.  Once we offer ourselves to Him, He will change us into new creations.  Our lost and lonely souls can be recovered and turned into beautiful, new lives ready to be used by Him.  I am so thankful for that!  The things of the past are no more and we can bravely step forward into a new future with Him.

Recycled by Him,

Joan

Be sure to join me on Monday for the "Sharing His Beauty" link-up! It's a great way to start the week giving praises to our Father! (The linky will be open on Sunday night at 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time). See you then!

14 Comments

  1. "None of us are beyond the transforming hands of God."

    Love this line - and it is so true, He can make the vilest sinner clean. We should never give up praying for our loved ones and friends who don't know the Lord as Savior.

    Blessings,
    Joan

    PS - Thanks for linking to the Grace Cafe today!

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  2. Hi Joan - I'd rather be recycled by the Lord, than by the world. Great post
    God bless
    Tracy

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  3. Fun post. I also remember Cole's costume many years ago around this time - Recycling Boy!

    XOXO

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  4. Good analogy! I just really don't like the melt-down part! ;)

    When He pours in that Living Water...ah, I LIKE that part! :)

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  5. Praise God, I am forgiven and am happy to be among His children. Beautiful posting. Thank you.

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  6. What a wonderful post! I never thought of myself as being recycled, but that's exactly what happened when I accepted Jesus into my life. Thank you for this great analogy!

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  7. Interesting perspective, Joan. I had never thought of recycling in that way before. Thank you for sharing this insight.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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  8. 2 Cor. 5:17 - one of my favorite verses. It's the one I recite whenever the enemy tries to lure me into thinking about my past and condemns me. It's also my reminder whenever those old, ugly habits try to creep back. It's a powerful weapon - God's Word is.

    Have a blessed weekend,
    Rina

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  9. I love the analogy you used in this. God sure had to recycle me. Tell your recycle boy "yeah" for me.

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  10. Beautiful and inspiring post Joan! :) I know that when I stumble, God is there to pick me up! He holds me in His loving arms and guides and directs me to the path of righteousness. However, even with this assurance of His grace, I know I must make every effort to realize the seriousness of my sin, and not make any excuses for careless living. 

    I like Charles Swindoll qoute; "When we died with Christ, our bodies were relieved from submission to sin. We've been honorably discharged."

    Hugs and blessings!
    Denise

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  11. My dgt drives me crazy wanting to recycle everything... So I love this analogy. Awesome read......and great reminder that He's there always...in our corner.....

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  12. This is a beautiful analogy. You really touched my heart with this post. I feel so used by the world particularly at my job and it is so good to know Our Lord cares for each one of our hearts as if we were His only concern. I am glad I have been recycled by the Lord! Thanks Joan. Enjoy your week.

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  13. What a wonderful analogy to liken the way God is the origninal Recyler. Very inspiring. God bless, Bobbi

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  14. I hadn't thought of this before in terms of recycling and how God works in our hearts and our lives; great analogy and so thankful he is always working in my life and creating a new heart for me, especially as I allow him to do so!

    just visiting from Spiritual Sundays :)

    have a great week ahead!

    betty

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