"Like A Tarnished Teapot"

As human beings, it is natural for us to hold onto the past. We reminisce about the good old days, we hold onto memories, and for many, we often find ourselves wishing we could go back in time. As Christians, we are called not to dwell in the past but instead to learn from it and trust in God's plan for our future. We often see our past mistakes and failures as a burden, something that holds us back and prevents us from moving forward. However, when we allow God to redeem our past, He can turn those burdens into blessings. He can use our experiences to shape us and mold us into the person He intended us to be. As we trust in His redeeming power, we can let go of the hurt and pain of our past and embrace the hope and future that He has for us.

Not only is God a redeemer, but He is also a restorer. He can restore what was lost, whether it be relationships, opportunities, or dreams. Philippians 3:13,14, "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Paul reminds us that our focus should not be on the things of the past but rather on the future that God has in store for us. He urges us to forget what is behind us and press on towards the mark, or goal, of the high calling of God. God is a God of restoration and redemption, and He has a plan and purpose for our lives that is greater than anything we could have ever imagined.

An analogy that beautifully captures the idea of God as our Redeemer and Restorer is that of a tarnished silver teapot. Imagine a beautiful, ornate silver teapot that has been passed down from generation to generation. Over time, it has become tarnished and dull, losing its luster and shine. It may look like it is beyond repair, but in the hands of a skilled silversmith, it can be restored to its former glory.

In the same way, our lives may become tarnished and damaged by the mistakes and struggles of our past. We may believe that we are beyond repair, that our past defines us, and that there is no hope for a brighter future. But just like the silversmith, God sees the potential for beauty within us. He is the ultimate Restorer, able to take our brokenness and make something new and beautiful out of it.

One of the most fascinating aspects of restoration is that the end result is often even better than the original. When God restores, He does not simply fix what was broken, He transforms it into something greater. Just as the silver teapot may have lost its shine but is then polished and restored to a level of beauty even greater than before, God can take our broken lives and create something even more beautiful than we could have ever imagined.

Isaiah 61:3 reminds us that God can give us "beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness." God can take our brokenness and turn it into something beautiful, bringing joy and praise into our lives. Also, Joel 2:25 says, "I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you." No matter how much destruction may have occurred in our lives, God is able to restore and redeem all that has been lost.

As Christians, we must remember that our past does not define us. We have a Redeemer and Restorer in God, who is able to take our brokenness and create something new and beautiful out of it. We must trust in His plan for our future and allow Him to work in our lives, bringing joy and restoration. Just like the silver teapot, we may have been tarnished and damaged, but in the hands of our skilled Restorer, we can be transformed into something even more magnificent than we could have ever imagined. ©Rita Larson 1/16/2024

#Restored #IAmRedeemed #MyRedeemerLives #OnWordandUpWord

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