My Trip to the Salvage Yard

This week I had the opportunity to visit the salvage yard. Wow. I loved it. As I walked around with a friend, I learned quite a bit as well as learned to appreciate several things as well. Let me give three spiritual truths that I contemplated on my trip to the salvage yard.

My Friend Could See What I Couldn’t

As we walked around, he knew what we were looking at along the rows. Specifically, we had a list of parts that we were looking for with a list of rows and vehicles where we might find them. As we walked, I initially couldn’t hardly tell the difference between one thing and another. But as we went, I began to see the nuances that he was seeing. Not to the same degree, of course, but I was able to begin to see some of what he was seeing as he pointed things out to me. Originally, I only saw wrecked vehicles in rows. However, as I went along and he pointed things out, things began to both make sense to me and become more apparent. What he initially could only describe, I began to see as well.

What am I talking about? To a car guy, there was beauty among salvaged vehicles. He could see it even when I could only see the destruction. I was hopeful but skeptical. Where I doubted we could find anything helpful on the list, as we walked and he pointed things out, it became apparent that what he saw and what I saw were very different.

Isn’t that true spiritually as well? Often, the world and many Christians look at others who have struggled in one way or another. As they do, they see the damage, the destruction, and the carnage from suffering and sin. Yet, what God sees and what many others can see who have walked with God in various ways over an extended period of time is very different than others. We can have hope.

Although Hard Work, It Is Good Work

As we walked through the salvage yard, grabbing parts on the list we were working off of was not necessarily easy. Some things we found on the ground and could simply pick them up. Other things we had to work on getting off of these wrecked vehicles. A bit of elbow grease was necessary to get the items we needed. Although what we wanted was not as hard or heavy as others, some people were really working hard to get what they needed as well. As I listened to the different ones, they were laughing, correcting each other, asking for a helping hand, offering to help others push carts or lift an engine, and all kinds of similar stuff. On a very pleasant winter day, people were enjoying the hard work they were doing.

Isn’t that true spiritually as well? The work of bearing burdens of others and restoring others after sin is hard work. We must roll up our shirtsleeves and have at it. There is no place for laziness in this good work. It takes effort to help other people. Thankfully, God gives us the strength to do these things.

With the Right Tools, Things Got Much Better

Not really knowing what I was getting into, I showed up without any tools. I did not know what we needed to do, much less have the tools for the job. As I arrived and went into the front door, there was a line of men and women who were waiting to check in and get the information they needed. I began to notice that every person there had a small handbag of tools. This observation was the first which underscored my belief that I really did not know what I was doing. My friend, who I met in the same lobby, brought a bag with him too. Boy was I glad! He knew what tools were needed and brought those with him. As I observed him throughout the morning reaching in his bag, pulling a particular tool out, and making the task at hand doable and damage free, I was very grateful for his tools. In my mind I do not know what I was thinking. But, in his hands, the tools got us everything we needed in a timely, safe, and much faster way. I kept encouraging him and marveling at what he was getting accomplished. He explained that experience, past instruction, and the right tools made it all possible and much easier.

Isn’t that true spiritually as well? When bearing burdens and restoration are needed, thankfully, God has given us good tools, experience, and instructions to help. God provides us with the Bible, prayer, the power of the Holy Spirit, our own experience of walking with God and other people, the discipleship process, and the one-anothers to help. Whereas, maybe some do not know what tools are necessary, what the tools do, or how to use them, others in the body of Christ do and can help. What a joy to see times like that. People get helped because people in and around the church understand the process.

I Enjoyed My Trip

Having never gone to a salvage yard before or experiencing anything like it, I anticipate that it will not be my last trip. I hope to accompany my friend again sometime. Not only was it fun, but very educational/rewarding.

Isn’t that true spiritually as well? We have the privilege of walking with others, learning, and walking with more people every week. Our local church provides these and many opportunities for us. Praise the Lord for His goodness.