Nothing is Wasted

Is there anything that epitomises Autumn more than an apple crumble?

 

The soft and sticky sweet cinnamon-spiced apples topped with crunchy crumbs of crumble - delicious!

 

I made one this evening after I realised that I had a fruit bowl full of apples which were a little bit past their best.  I didn't want to throw them away and waste them, but they were fluffy and floury and didn't taste at all nice on their own.

 

However, in the crumble, they were absolutely delicious.

 

It is easy in life to throw things away when they seem 'past their best'.  Things that seem dried out and past it and of no use anymore. 

 

But the Bible says that God uses everything for our good:

 

"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."

 

[Romans 8:28 NIV, emphasis mine] 

 

Rather than throwing out the things in our lives which seem too far gone, God can use them to develop our character and to make us more like Him.  In His hands, nothing is wasted.

 

I think the words of this song are absolutely beautiful: 'Nothing is Wasted' by Jason Gray -

 

"The hurt that broke your heart
And left you trembling in the dark
Feeling lost and alone
Will tell you hope's a lie
But what if every tear you cry
Will seed the ground where joy will grow

And nothing is wasted
Nothing is wasted
In the hands of our Redeemer
Nothing is wasted

It's from the deepest wounds
That beauty finds a place to bloom
And you will see before the end
That every broken piece is
Gathered in the heart of Jesus
And what's lost will be found again

Nothing is wasted
Nothing is wasted
In the hands of our Redeemer
Nothing is wasted

From the ruins
From the ashes
Beauty will rise
From the wreckage
From the darkness
Glory will shine
Glory will shine."