My dad was over behind Robby’s Bike shop in Stockton several years back when he came across a man with a very eclectic looking bicycle. It had a frame with one style and color, handlebars that were a different style and color, a seat that was yet another style and so forth. It even had a custom cup holder on the handlebars. My dad asked the man where in the world he got a bike like that. The man said that every part of his bike came out of the dumpster. Over time, he had pulled parts out of the trash and pieced together this custom bike. In fact, he had built two more bikes from parts found in the dumpster. Talk about one man’s trash becoming another man’s treasure. This man had a vision for what could be.
In the hands of a redeemer, what may seem worthless can take on new life. In our sinful state, many in the heavenly realm must have looked upon humanity as trash. “That one is a throw away”, an angel might be tempted to tell God. But God is the ultimate redeemer. He chose to redeem us with His own blood, making those who trust in Christ clean in His sight. Where one might only see trash, God sees a masterpiece. Ephesians 2:10 tells us, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” God takes what is lost, broken, and seemingly worthless and makes a masterpiece. God can redeem any of us from the dumpsters of life.
My dad told me about another friend that he has who also creates refurbished bikes out of discarded parts. He has even taken a class or two on bike mechanics to hone this craft and become more proficient at doing this. This man fixes up these bikes and gives them to kids in the neighborhood who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford one. This man lives in Folsom and many of the bikes he rebuilds are given to children whose fathers are in Folsom prison. He has given away around 200 bikes so far. It has become a ministry for him that points others to the transformed life that is available for those who follow Jesus Christ.
You may have a special gift or talent that you never dreamed could help others and glorify God. My dad’s friend took his hobby of fixing of bikes, honed it a bit, and now has a ministry that blesses others and glorifies God. Ask God to give you the wisdom to see what this might look like in your own life.