Something that people may not know about me is that I like to make pottery. Simple things, useful things like bowls and mugs. I have several bowls that I made that I really like. They are just the right size and shape for me. I like the color and pattern of the glaze. They are my ‘go-to’ bowls for any kind of soup or cereal.
Over time, most of my bowls have become chipped in some place or other. But I’m not upset at all. I still use my bowls almost daily. Even though there may be a small blight on the surface of my creation doesn’t mean that I’m ready to throw it away. It’s still useful. It’s still beautiful. And it’s still mine.
Countless times we find in Scripture where Jesus doesn’t not discard those who have been marred with sin. One of the most notable was the apostle Peter. When Christ had been arrested and was being questioned by the religious leaders, Peter famously disowned the Master three times, even going so far as to call out curses at the people accusing him of being a follower of Christ (Mark 14:71). When Christ came back, He could have said to Peter, “Well, there’s a chip in your glaze. I guess it’s time to throw you out and make another.” But instead Jesus reinstated Peter (John 21:15-19) and he went on to be instrumental in establishing the early Church.
Just because you have been spiritually beaten and battered around, just because you have some chips taken out of your glaze, doesn’t mean that it’s time for you to be thrown away. You are still useful to God. You are still beautiful to God. You still belong to God.