How do you see yourself?

 

Sometime ago we were walking with a friend through one of her favourite woodlands. She is a member of The Woodland Trust and has a bench installed along one of the trails through this particular woods, in memory of her husband. You see they often would walk through those woods with a picnic and just enjoy the day together with its peace, tranquillity and views.  So we walked some distance along many little tracks and paths until we found the bench in the spot she had chosen. So we sat on this very new bench and shared memories with her of times we had spent with her husband.

After a while we started to return to the carpark some distance away. Following many
different tracks through the woods we found we had gone round in circles and had actually got ourselves lost! By now we were getting quite weary and then, turning down one of the tracks, we were greeted by the sight of a very old bench. As in the picture, it seemed to have seen better days, but do you know it still worked as a bench and provided us with a very welcome resting point. After a while, having rested, we eventually found the right path and got safely back to the carpark.

What really struck me though, was that bench. It was broken down, old with bits falling off and looking as though it had gone through quite a lot in its time, but it was still functioning and useful. What a joy it was for us to rest on this bench and realise its value and worth.  

I am reminded of 2 Corinthians 4:7 where the Apostle Paul writes of us having God’s message in us even though we are frail human beings. You see, God can use even the most ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Even when we are feeling weak, broken, discouraged, too young or too old, we can still be used by God to show something of His power and glory.