Let Nothing Be Wasted

“Let Nothing Be Wasted”

The words were uttered by Jesus after the miraculous feeding of the five thousand, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” From a solution to a need that started with giving thanks for five small barley loaves and two small fish, came enough pieces to fill twelve baskets with the leftovers after everyone had enough to eat. Five thousand men had been fed from such a meager provision but the focus of Jesus was not on the depth of the miracle but on the aftermath, on nothing being wasted that the Father had provided.

It’s a principal that has many applications in our lives; that no experience we have gone through, that no lesson we have learned (and some have been expensive), and that no truth we have gained would be wasted. How do we waste them? We do that by not sharing those insights into life with others who are going through similar circumstances. The experiences of our lives are precious treasures, regardless of the pain they’ve brought us, that can help another person navigate the potholes of life and make it on their journey.

This past summer, returning from vacation, heading north on I-77 in West Virginia, we heard the news that there was a three hour construction delay at one of the tunnels through the mountains. Word of the experience of others served as our warning to get off the main road and try another route to avoid the backup. And with a sixteen hour drive home, we were happy to avoid three more hours tacked on because of construction. And here’s how it really relates: there is someone, or maybe more than one someone, traveling the same road that you’ve been on. They’re going to face the same discouragements, encounter the same difficulties, and need the same determination to not give up that you needed on your journey. Don’t let one ounce of your experiences be wasted by keeping it to yourself.

Some lessons in life can’t be learned from the pages of a book; we have go through the experience, through the valleys and the storms, over the hurdles and mountains, to gain an understanding of both the depth of human sorrow and the heights of the grace of God. But having another person who has experienced similar circumstances come alongside us? That is strengthening, that is invaluable, and that is what it means to let nothing be wasted.

Each of us has far more arrows in our quivers than we’ve realized. A door God opened, a season you made it through, a victory won – someone out there needs to hear about it and receive the strength that comes from someone else’s experiences. I’m guessing that, like Jesus’ disciples, you might gather up far more than you’d ever have expected. Now it’s time to share them!

God Bless
Pastor Joe
Gateway Church