My church’s Ladies Guild is having a tag sale this Saturday. I had the privilege of visiting the church hall for a few minutes during their setup this week and helping to bring out a few boxes for them to arrange (my wife has spent much of the week there). Moving from table to table, I saw items of all kinds ready for their value to be recognized beyond their appearance and given new life and purpose.

As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. – Matthew 4:18-20

I couldn’t help but notice how the tag sale items reminded me of Jesus calling His disciples. What a rag-tag, random bunch of men, all of whom had previous lives and purposes! Jesus saw beneath their appearance – among them fishermen, a tax collector, religious zealots – and recognized their value. He gave them new life and new purpose. His call benefited not only them, but through them, others – us – as well.

And even beyond the original Twelve, He continued with Saul of Tarsus (St. Paul) and others, noticing their inherent value and giving them new purpose. To this day, He continues to find value and use for people of all kinds, from the good-as-new to the very “tag sale table” members of society. Let everything that has breath give praise to the LORD! – Psalm 150:6

Sadly, many of the items I saw on the tag sale tables will go unclaimed. What’s not sold will be donated to various agencies for the benefit of the needy. But that’s not so with God, is it? Everyone who makes themselves available to God will be claimed as His! God has a use for everyone! He can change everyone’s lives and can use their lives for the benefit of all! Imagine having a tag sale, and nothing goes unclaimed. Isn’t that wonderful?

I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. – Romans 12:1

So, contribute yourselves to that great Tag Sale. Make yourself available to Him. I promise you that He will find a purpose for you; one which you may never have imagined, and you will love it!

What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him. – 1 Corinthians 2:9

We pray:
Heavenly Father, You find use and purpose for all who follow You. We make ourselves available to you: claim us; use us. We ask this through Your Son, who called people from all walks of life into new life and purpose in You. AMEN.

Jeffery L Fiducia
Used with permission of author