Never made to be an ornament

"For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance

for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10, NIV)

I've seen them used as rustic chandeliers. I've seen them used as fencing. I've seen them used on buggies and wagons. The last utilization has always been the most gratifying to witness. Having never been around a craftsman who made buggies and wagon wheels, I can only imagine the skill and patience necessary to create something so tough and durable. The wheel pictured here was one my dad bought at a farm auction most likely near Lock Haven or perhaps Belleville.

When dad bought it, the farm was being sold and perhaps being turned into a housing development or an up and coming business. Dad saw value in the old wheel and probably bought it with several boxes of tools, bolts, and farm implements. It sat in his barn for who knows how many years. Gathering dust and buried under other treasures, it had become forgotten.

When dad passed, mom began to parse out dad's valuables and give some of them away. We got this wagon wheel among other things. It is a treasure that will one day rot and fall apart. It was saved for some purpose that never came to fruition. Imagine the greatness of this piece of Americana being set aside for decorative purposes. If only it could speak of the passengers it once carried, the roads it rolled over, and the precious cargo it transported. Now, it adorns our front flower garden.

Sadly, many people formed and created by the Master craftsman are vibrant for a time and then set aside to gather dust and get buried under other things. Their true potential, long since derailed by illness, fractured relationships, sin, or depression, gets repurposed to become fancy looking chandeliers, fencing, or decorations. Losing purpose is unfortunate but not permanent. In the hands of the right craftsman old wagon wheels and broken souls can be renewed and restored to their original vocations.

"For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance

for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10, NIV)

Reset time: Take a look in the mirror and see the person God created. See the person gifted to do great things for Jesus Christ. See the person marred by sin. See the possibilities of confession and change. See the redemptive means of God to draw us away from failure's shadow and sin's curse. See the newness of God's justifying grace. Get back to the person God created to do good works.