Relational Trash

i can relate to trash. i was asked how.. it's quite simple...

trash is not created. trash happens. no one wakes up one morning and says "i'm going to make something that people will just throw away.." in its created form, the thing we call trash has value and worth. empty paint cans could be considered trash. but were they created to be empty? no. they were created to hold paint.. to keep it protected until the time of use. it is after being used that the trash happens. trash is the left over product.. the result of being used.

when i was created.. God had a purpose for me.. God created me.. as well as everyone else.. with a purpose in mind.. to serve Him.. to do His will.. to carry His Holy Spirit.. however.. having been used and abused by sin and sinful lifestyle.. i became empty.. no longer holding that Holy Spirit.. left over trash..
God did not create me to be empty.. but filled... and blessed so that i could be a blessing..

for the paint cans.. their original use may have been spent.. but paint is still created.. paint is still poured.. and even if the purpose of carrying paint is no longer.. there are still other uses for a paint can...

one man's trash.. is another man's treasure. and what if that Man is the Son of God...

even in my empty state.. Christ sees me.. and sees what i CAN be.. and He loves me.. and He pours out Himself into me... so that i can go from trash to treasure..

Equipped

i was mowing the lawn the other day... something i typically do weekly..

at one point last year i came across a black snake in the woodpile, but i had no way to dispose of it.. so since then i have carried a machete.

every time i mow, however.. i ended up getting cut up and scratched up by branches and bushes.. tree limbs that hang down smack my head and rip my glasses off.. i usually just suck it up and take the pain.. then it finally hit me...
i have a machete on my side... it is used to chopping limbs... so i removed the problem..

i was equipped to remove the hinderances in my task, but failed to use it properly..

how many times in daily life do we stumble or run into things that hinder us... things that could be easily taken care of if we just pay attention to what we are equipped with.. God gave us His word.. His Holy Bible to help us deal with pressures.. pains.. temptations...
it's more than just something to follow along with the pastor on sunday.. but a training source and motivator..

delight yourself in the Lord.. draw near unto Him..

equip yourself with the sword of the Holy Spirit.. the word of God.. and cut through branches that scrape and cut your soul...