Life is full of blunders, mishaps, and messes. But it’s important to remember that God wastes nothing. He uses these challenges—big and small—to get us on track.
We All Experience Mishaps in Life
Recently, I was reminded of this when I spent time with my wife and our friend’s middle-school daughter. As the three of us sat and played a board game, I looked up and saw an enormous bug in her hair. Immediately concerned that such a vile creature would be in her brunette locks, I spoke up and informed her of the bug’s presence.
It turns out what I thought was a bug was actually just a hair tie.
Where is that awkward face emoji right now?
Later on that same week, in my exhaustion from the day, I miscommunicated with my wife. We mixed up our schedules and upon discovering this, got frustrated with each other. We found ourselves exiting to separate ends of the house to cool off while we tried to untangle the communication mess we found ourselves in.
Unfortunately, these kinds of blunders, mishaps, and messes are far too common. Regardless of how hard we try and how kind we are, these things happen. Some might call me a pessimist, but on this side of heaven, I would venture to say that these kinds of circumstances aren’t just common but downright inevitable.
If you’re reading this and resonating with it, you’re not alone. There are a whole host of people from eons past that can commiserate with us in the messiness of being human. Thankfully, despite the craziness that this world brings, we can trust God. We can rest in the knowledge that God wastes nothing. He’s quite the expert at taking our blunders, mishaps, and messes and transforming them into powerful redemption testimonies.
5 Examples of How God Wastes Nothing
- One man, a young slave in pre-Civil War America, almost murdered his abusive master’s son with an ax. But God wastes nothing, and this man went on to free 118 people from slavery in the underground railroad. His name was Rev. Josiah Henson, the man whose life would inspire Harriet Beecher Stowe to write Uncle Tom’s Cabin.
- Another man was a thief and drunkard who stole from his own father in 19th-century England. But the Lord wastes nothing, and this man started a worldwide ministry serving thousands of orphans and homeless and establishing more than 100 Christian schools. His name was George Müller.
- Another man was homely, prematurely bald, overly short, and publicly humiliated by pastors, mentors, and friends. But God wastes nothing, and he became known as the father of modern missions, serving in India and translating portions of the Bible into at least 29 languages and dialects. His name was William Carey.
- Another man faced poverty and sickness, as well as local church and denominational persecution and prison in China. But God wastes nothing, and this man is responsible for founding more than 2,000 churches worldwide and writing 19 books of Christian theology. His name was Watchman Nee.
- One woman felt unloved and unwanted. She struggled with suicidal thoughts and fantasized about drowning herself on several occasions. But the Lord wastes nothing, and she became a pioneering female African American preacher during a time of intense slavery. Her name was Jarena Lee.
Clearly, regardless of the mess, regardless of the outcome and consequences, one thing is certain: God wastes nothing. He consistently moved in the lives of each of these men and women, showing up and redeeming each and every one of them. He redeemed them for their good and for the sake of His Kingdom.
Trust God Wastes Nothing, Including Our Messes
So, thinking back to my earlier story about miscommunicating with my wife, I remember before marrying Megan, we went to premarital counseling and shared about the disagreements we’d been having. The wisdom we received from our mentor applies to this conversation today. He exhorted us and shared that God is in the mess and the uncomfortable blunders just as much as He is when we get along and agree on everything. This was a profound learning moment for me. So often I spent time trying to avoid pain and awkwardness. But what was being suggested to me was that pain and awkwardness actually have the capacity to be used by God because God wastes nothing.
As you read this, what kind of messes go through your mind that you or others have experienced?
Perhaps it’s a divorce or a criminal history. Or perhaps it’s overwhelming debt or dishonesty. Perhaps it’s church-hurt or an affair. Maybe it’s your boss not seeing or noticing how hard you work at your job. Or maybe it’s a test you failed. Perhaps someone you loved recently died or is struggling with an addiction.
Today, as you reflect on whatever blunder, mishap, or mess you find yourself in, take a moment to let this verse wash over you: “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” (Romans 8:28, NIV).
Another way to say this is…
God. Wastes. Nothing.
Okay, okay. I know what you’re thinking. I’m kind of starting to sound like a broken record at this point. But it’s worth repeating because it’s such a powerful truth!
If the Lord wastes nothing, and the mess of your life is still there—guess what? God isn’t done yet! Because He wastes nothing, we can walk in peace knowing that ultimate redemption for every blunder is on its way. We just have to trust and obey. We just have to walk in the hope available to us as God redeems all things. Soon, your mess will look like some of the life testimonies above in this blog post. God wastes nothing, and He will turn the brokenness of your life into a story for His glory.
It’s Your Turn to Make an Impact!
What if this is your moment to run your race, make your mark, and leave a lasting impact on the world? What if powerful baton-passing skills from experienced runners could be placed in your hands?
You can meet twenty passionate “runners” who fervently ran “the race marked out for them” to the glory of God in the pages of It’s My Turn.
They weren’t the most talented, most powerful, or even the smartest. They weren’t perfect. They didn’t live for awards. They rarely received applause. At times, they ran the wrong routes, got fatigued, and even stumbled. Their geographies, personalities, life-stations, and ages were as unique as they were. Still, they held this in common: They loved Jesus more than anything.
Let the unusual adventures of these twenty world-changing laborers inspire, stretch, and challenge you! Glean practical equipping tips for your tomorrows as you embrace Jesus’ urgent plea today for more difference-making Kingdom laborers in harvest fields everywhere. The world is waiting. The baton is in your hands. The hour is urgent! And God wastes nothing. This is your moment. Now is the time to declare, “It’s my turn!”
