Damaged Goods

Nº 271

weekly devotions to refresh your soul by Dr. Dan Bolin - OCTOBER 10, 2023

Christ is building His kingdom with earth's broken things. Men want only the strong, the successful, the victorious, the unbroken, in building their kingdoms; but God is the God of the unsuccessful, of those who have failed. Heaven is filling with earth's broken lives, and there is no bruised reed that Christ cannot take and restore to glorious blessedness and beauty. He can take the life crushed by pain or sorrow and make it into a harp whose music shall be all praise. He can lift earth's saddest failure up to heaven's glory. - J.R. Miller

The shopping cart was filled with dented cans, unwrapped packages, mislabeled jars, and broken toys. The grocery store’s sign read: Damaged Goods.

As I walked past, I thought, that’s us. We are all damaged goods.

Two truths influence our lives. First, God created us in His image, and we carry the grandeur and wonder of His likeness. We are ‘goods.’ Second, we are damaged. The goodness God designed has been marred by sin – ours and others. We live in the tension of bearing God’s glorious image while at the same time being scared by sins destructive forces. We are damaged goods.

But all is not lost; our God is the God of second chances. He wants to remake us into something new and improved for His purpose and glory. Paul knew both the damage of sin and the good of God’s image. He reminded the Philippians, “...he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.” (Philippians 1:6)

We are a work in progress. The devastation of sin leaves us in need of restoration, but thankfully, God is committed to our renewal. David reminded himself and us of God’s loyal love for us: “He restores my soul.” (Psalm 23:3)

Excelsior,

Dan Bolin

Author & President

Refueling in Flight Ministries, Inc