Nothing Is Wasted

I’ve been listening to a whole lot of worship music over the past few months and I’ve noticed an interesting pattern: most, if not all, songs involve experiencing some sort of waiting. I guess it’s encouraging to know that waiting is as much a part of the human condition as eating, breathing and sleeping. We wait for new jobs, for promotions, to meet a spouse and have a baby and buy a new house… and as soon as waiting for one thing is up, we move quickly to the next. It’s no wonder that there are so many songs about trusting God in the waiting – it’s an endless experience.

One of my very favorite worship songs in this vein is “Canvas and the Clay” (I love the live edition here). It’s all so good, but there’s one line that has especially stuck out to me recently:

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I know nothing has been wasted

No failure or mistake

You’re an artist and a potter

I’m the canvas and the clay

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Something about the recognition that nothing is wasted has brought so much peace to my heart. Nothing – not a single prayer, act of love, relationship, sacrifice, or moment of suffering – is wasted. God uses everything for our good. He sees the bigger picture, and we can trust that He is taking care of us in everything.

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I don’t know what you’re waiting on right now, but if worship music hits are on track, you’re probably waiting on something. I pray that in this time of waiting you can truly believe that there is something good happening here, that God is at work, and that, as the song above continues, we can truly believe:

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You make all things work together
For my future and for my good
You make all things work together
For Your glory and for Your name

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In Christ,

Jane

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PS – a little bit of a shorter newsletter today, because I’m South Africa for the next two weeks! It’s absolutely gorgeous, and I wish I could stay forever. Please pray for my classmates and I as we explore the country!

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