Written by a Connecticut friend, Jeff, in June 2025 at the time of his church’s annual tag sale.

Our 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

Jeff (a lecturer friend from Connecticut in June 2025)