Obsolescence
by Malcolm Wood
In this ‘throw away age’ we perhaps too often hear the words ‘They don’t make that model anymore’ or ‘We can no longer obtain parts for that particular model’. No doubt many of us, at sometime or another, have had to say good bye to a piece of equipment or appliance which has served us well for many years and would perhaps continue to do so if someone would take the time and effort to repair it, or if the faulty part worth probably only a few pence was still available.
Isn’t it a blessing that God doesn’t treat us like that? No matter what may be wrong with us, whether due to our own misuse, or that done to us by others, no-one is beyond repair. God has never changed or updated the ‘model’! Yes we are all unique. Each one of us is different, yet made in His likeness. We all too have the same basic needs for love, nurture, companionship and fulfilment, and we all have an inbuilt potential to fulfil the destiny God planned for us even before we were born.
Every part of us, every area of our lives, has a place and purpose in God’s blueprint for our life. Our design was not a mistake, nothing wasted or redundant or obsolete.
If there are areas or parts of our lives in which we feel we aren’t functioning as we should be - take it to the ‘Manufacturer’! He’s the only one who can repair, renew and restore us to the original design He had for us.
So often the enemy would have those of us who are older think that we are ‘past our best’ or passed our ‘use by date’. If we do start thinking like that we need to take comfort from the words of the Apostle Paul who said ‘Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day’ (2 Corinthians 4:16) and the Psalmist when he exclaimed ‘who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s’ (Psalm103:5).
Isn’t that what life in the Spirit is all about? Continual renewal!
Prayer: Dear Lord, Thank You for never giving up on us and making us redundant or obsolete. Thank You that You’re always willing to remould us and remake us into the people You originally intended us to be. Amen.
Malcolm Wood and his wife Anna became part of the Ellel family as House Managers at Ellel Grange in 1990. Since then they have been involved with many aspects of the developing Ministry. From 2001 until 2015 they were Directors of Ellel Scotland where they hosted several International Schools and Operation Blairmore and helped pioneer the exciting Creative Inspiration Weeks. They have three sons.
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