Redemption and Popsicle Sticks
2 Corinthians 5:17 quotes, “Therefore if any man in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things have become new.” And Isaiah 43:19-21 quotes, “Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.”
THIS IS A STORY OF REDEMPTION AND POPSICLE STICKS
The above scriptures show and talk about the originality of how Christ feels about everyone who has had a rough past. This is what Kyle Idleman, a Pastor at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, was trying to preach to the fellow inmates, also referred to as residents, at one of the halfway houses where we hold one of our Discipleship Group Trainings.
So, Jonathan inspired all of this.
Jonathan is a resident of a halfway house in Portland, a neighborhood in West Louisville. And he had made the coolest gift ever which he had then gifted to Kyle Idleman.
Jonathan made a motorcycle out of popsicle sticks.
Can you believe that?
Made out of something that you would not think could be useful, he made something incredibly beautiful. And that is exactly what made it cool, what made it more valuable.
Little wonder it made Kyle Idleman say, “We’re all popsicle sticks… but in God’s hands… He can do incredible things through us”. That is indeed the beauty of our brokenness.
To clarify, halfway houses are institutions for those with criminal backgrounds, to learn (or relearn) the necessary skills to re-integrate into society and better support and care for themselves.
This integration program allows residents to become reacquainted with their families and the community and gives them a head start in seeking employment.
So, Kyle’s message was definitely spot on.
The men need to know that there is more out there. Especially when he made mention of the fact that people look at past records of the men, of everyone in general, and doubt that they could be of any use to society, let alone to God.
People would doubt that God could ever use them because of their past, but he said that everyone was a popsicle stick in one way or the other, everyone, in one area of our lives have strayed but God still loves us, unconditionally. All we have to do is go to Him and trust Him.
The same way the popsicle sticks were used to make something absolutely amazing, the same way God can use us.
These verses sum up God not calling the qualified but qualifying the called.
It doesn’t matter how rough you had it, what you have done, like Kyle said, “Own up to it and look to Jesus”.
No need to dwell on the past and its many wrongs. He and He alone can and will grant you redemption.
Be that popsicle stick.
Be willing to believe that something beautiful would come out of you yet.
Old things are passed away, a new thing shall spring forth in your life and He will make a way for you.
