Last fall, I worked off and on at installing laminate flooring in two bedrooms and the hallway of our small bungalow. This last week, I finished the second phase in our front hall. All the while, I kept thinking that there must be a devotional in such an extensive and complicated process. God is never late.

As I was finishing laying the flooring in the front hall, I was very careful to use up all the useful pieces that were left. When I was gathering up the tools that had been stashed in the hall closet, I remembered, in horror, that I had not laid the last two pieces of flooring there, and I had no pieces left that were long enough to do the job, even though the closet is only two feet wide. I had to piece together smaller chunks, and ended up unsatisfactorily laying one small piece that was unconnected to the two beside it — very unprofessional!

As I was cleaning up, I came across a piece by the garbage can that I had rejected as useless the week before, because its blank ends could not be connected to an adjoining piece. It was a couple of inches longer than the needed two feet, and it became the last piece of my project. In exultation at a good job done, I put it in its designated place in the closet, and thought of this Scripture:

Matthew 21:42 – Then Jesus asked them, "Didn't you ever read this in the Scriptures? 'The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. This is the Lord's doing, and it is wonderful to see.'" (NLT)

How true it is that so many who are rejected, outcast, and misfits, so many who have made a mess of their lives, once they are introduced to Jesus, become wonderful witnesses to the grace and mercy of our Lord. He is able to take us as we are and use our lives to His glory. He specializes in redeeming and setting people free by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:28 – And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (NLT)

Take heart! There is no one that God cannot use. There is no mistake or blunder that God cannot redeem. And when He does, as Jesus said, "This is the Lord's doing, and it is wonderful to see"!

Prayer: Encourage us today, Lord, and give us the distinct hope that You can use us for Your glory, and redeem even what we have messed up. This we pray, in Jesus' name. Amen.

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About the author:

Robin Ross <rross@telus.net>
Mission, British Columbia, Canada
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