The red letters were printed in all-caps and stood in contrast to the faded paper upon which the single word was printed – DISCARDED. Many books in the box I received had the same mark – DISCARDED, no longer considered of value or use, undesirable. Someone’s decision to get rid of this box full of books became my good fortune. There were worn covers, faded pages, lost dust covers, and some water damaged relics that I found to contain valuable insights. Many of these words had been penned decades ago. Yet those who had traveled life before me preserved their insights through the pages of these books. Their voices were still speaking.
I have thought for a long time that reading a book is like having a conversation with a friend. It may be a bit one-sided since I cannot speak directly to them. But I can read and ponder their views when it is convenient for me. These ‘friends’ influence my thoughts and attitudes when I enjoy a quite lunch break, as I soak in the tub or just before bed when it is too late to have a verbal conversation. Indeed, my heart sank a bit as the red letters blaringly conveyed that these long-ago penned words were thought to be of little value and should be DISCARDED.
Iryna Zarutska and Charlie Kirk
In recent days we have seen more than mere books discarded. A heaviness hangs in the air as headlines and social media conversations cry out against the cutting down of the two young lives, Iryna Zarutska and Charlie Kirk. One lived seemingly in obscurity while the other garnered great attention. Some may celebrate their demise, deeming them worthy of nothing more than to be discarded. Others mourn with deep sorrow. Their future conversations have been silenced. Yet like the friends found in my books, their voices still speak.
As we reckon with the murder of this young refugee woman and the assassination of a young father who spoke publicly, let us consider words written for our benefit in an ancient book, The Holy Bible. Psalm 78 briefly summarizes ancient Israel’s history, explaining their discarding of God’s ways, and includes a call to return to Him. One generation is cautioned to remember the errors of those who had gone before them. And a call is made for the next generation to turn back to God.
… we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,
His power, and the wonders He has done.
He decreed statutes for Jacob
and established the law in Israel,
which He commanded our ancestors
to teach their children,
so the next generation would know them,
even the children yet to be born,
and they in turn would tell their children.
Then they would put their trust in God
and would not forget his deeds
but would keep His commands.
They would not be like their ancestors—
a stubborn and rebellious generation,
whose hearts were not loyal to God,
whose spirits were not faithful to Him. Psalm 78:4-8 NIV
If we willingly discard Him, we will easily discard those made to be like Him.
Returning to the idea of discarding, are there things we should discard? If so, what? We rightly discard broken items that no longer bring value. Yet sometimes, like a broken life, they can be repaired. So let us consider carefully what we will discard.
We discard outdated or spoiled food. Why? Because it is rotten can result in sickness. And in our spiritual lives, we must also discard sins that will bring illness to our hearts, minds and souls and that which would lead us away from God. He instructs us plainly:
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Romans 12:9 NIV
So let us remember to … Hate what is evil. Cling to what is good.
As our history is written, what will be recorded about what we value or discard? Do we truly believe God’s Word, that we are made in the image and likeness of Him (see Genesis 1:27)? Will we value every life whether or not we agree with the voice of their message? Will we value God, our Creator or are we willingly discarding Him, His ways and His Word? If we willingly discard Him, we will easily discard those made to be like Him.
Even though the words penned in The Holy Bible were inspired long ago, let us not discard this book or the messages God inspired men to write so we could learn of Him, come to know Him, and discover His awe.
I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect Your word. Psalm 119:16 NIV
During a time of quiet reflection and prayer, I heard a cry asking, “What do you value? What are you discarding?”
Jesus is our way to God
Do you want to know how to connect with God? He made a way for us through His Son, Jesus.
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. John 3:16-18 NIV
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 1 Timothy 1:15 NIV
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 NIV
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