disposable

My grandparents lived through the great depression and it affected them in many ways.  Because they had experienced poverty or at least seen the effects of poverty on so many, it changed the way they viewed money and things.  I remember my grandfather making me take a bath one night in just a few inches of lukewarm water, that's what he had done growing up and he thought it would teach me to appreciate what I had (in reality it just made me ask for grandma to draw my baths from that point on).  

We live in a world, a few generations later, that seems to treat all things as if they are disposable.  Instead of washing the dishes, we just use paper plates and throw them away.  We buy something cool (like the newest I-phone)  but then are ready to trade it in as soon as something better comes along.  We buy, use and throw away things pretty quickly.  
Sometimes this view of the world affects how we even see people.

Recently, an idea called "Cancel Culture" has taken root in society where people are "cancelled" if they do something bad or offend us.  Once a person has said something or done something wrong, we toss them aside and treat them as if they no longer exist and have no chance of redemption.  This idea runs counter to the gospel of Jesus because we believe that all people, no matter how bad their sin, are capable of redemption by God and a fresh start on life.

Hebrews 10:22 says that we can "draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us."  People who come to God with true sadness for their sins and a desire to be washed clean by his salvation should always find that the church is a place for a second chance.  We don't cancel people, we help redeem people.  We are the people of second chances and we don't treat people like disposable plates, but as fine china worthy of saving.

In Christ,
​Pastor Scott