Acts 10:9-16 – About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds.13 Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” 14 “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean. 15 The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” 16 This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.”
In a storm a large branch was broken off from a tree. Two hiking men found the branch. One man said to the other “What do you see?”
The Second Man said “I see a branch from that tree lying on the ground. Good thing it didn’t fall on anyone and hurt or kill them.”
“Indeed, what you have said is true,” replied the First Man, “it is indeed a broken off branch and because of its size, it could have hurt or killed someone. But I see something that could be shaped and used to bring beauty that many will enjoy.”
“Bah, it’s something that could have hurt or killed someone,” the Second Man replied. It is a dangerous piece of that tree that was weak and broke off. If it was too weak to stay on the tree, then it is probably so diseased it is of no earthly good. I hope you don’t try to make something of it that people will use to support themselves. This ugly branch is bad through and through and is good only for firewood.”
“I will come back and fetch it. I will make something that will help people who will find it a blessing,” responded the First Man.
“Well, do so if you want to waste your time,” said the Second Man.
With the help of his horse the first man brought the branch home. He stopped and studied the branch. Certainly his friend was right, the branch as it was seemed to be good for nothing but firewood. He then received inspiration and began to turn this fallen branch into something so beautiful that none will recognize what it formerly was.
When the First man was done He called upon His friend to walk with Him along a long and tiring country public trail. When the men got to the top of a long and tiresome climb they were both breathing very hard. They sat upon a beautiful bench that was ornately carved and easily large enough for four adults to sit upon. As the breathing of the two men returned to normal, they sat silently and enjoyed the great view of the valley below and also enjoyed the beautiful morning songs of some very cheerful bird.
After a time the Second Man said to the first “I have never been on this trail before. It is a great walk and the view and singing of the birds are quite refreshing and beautiful. Also, I am thankful for this bench to sit upon and rest while enjoying nature.”
“Friend, you have seen this bench before,” said the First Man. This is the branch we came upon on our previous walk. What it once was is no longer and now is this beautiful bench. As I said then, what seemed ugly and dangerous has become beautiful and comforting.”
Jumping up from the bench the Second Man angrily protested “Why have you tricked me into sitting on that diseased branch and putting me at risk of falling and injury? You are no friend to me! The Second Man then stormed off and left the First Man behind.
The First Man sat and sadly considering the Second Man’s inability to see how something that had been deemed useless and dangerous was now something useful and beautiful. As the First Man rose from the bench he observed a few young hikers that had reached the top of the trail. They too were breathing hard as he had been. When he rose and walked from the bench he overheard them remarking how beautiful the bench was and how wonderful it was that they had found it. The sought the comfort of it. They did not know what it once was, they only appreciated what it now is.
Family, our God can transform what was evil or useless and make it blessed and a tool of His. God is able. Let us find the good and the usefulness in things that others can only remember an ugly past. Let us look for the good in people whom God has transformed lest Titus 1:15 be our description “To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.”
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.