Jesus: Lord of the salvage yard

Restoring an old car takes time, serious-prolonged effort, and a vision for what it can become. The process involves stripping what’s broken, and carefully rebuilding what was lost. It’s a labor of love that turns something neglected into something beautiful and functional again. In the same way, God works in our lives, patiently restoring us to the people He created us to be. We may carry the scars of our past, feel worn down by our mistakes, or believe we’re too far gone to be made new. But in God’s hands, no one is beyond hope. He sees our potential and lovingly works to restore us, piece by piece.

Consider a time when you judged someone, perhaps without even realizing it—someone who didn’t fit your idea of what was “right” or “good.” Perhaps there is a part of town you don’t like to visit, or stoplights you come to where you lock your car doors. Maybe you have a coworker you just don’t like to be around or a neighbor who lives differently than you. Do you know anyone who parents in a way that makes you cringe? It’s easy to write them off, just as people and even the other disciples did with the tax collectors in Jesus’ time. I know for me, judging people is one of those consistent areas I am trying to work on, but regularly turns into a “I’ll start again tomorrow.” Jesus calls us to see others through His eyes, to recognize that everyone is a work in progress, deserving of love and real grace.

Now, think about a time when you were on the other side, feeling judged, excluded, or overlooked. Maybe you have a coworker you feel just doesn’t like YOU and you can’t figure out why. Maybe it’s lasting pain from childhood of never feeling like your parents accepted you for who you are or loved you in the way you needed to be loved. The pain of being ostracized can run deep, making it hard to believe in your own worth. Have you ever felt like you are not salvageable—that you are too far gone? As Pastor Adam said yesterday in his sermon, we ALL struggle with things that diminish the God inside of us—and we can’t fix it ourselves. God, though? He looks at us and says “Wow—I could do something with her,” just like someone who restores cars sees the potential in a “project car.”

No matter which side we find ourselves on, the truth remains: we all need God’s restoration. When we allow Him to work in us, He softens our hearts, helps us extend grace to others, and heals the wounds of our own rejection. Just as a restored car becomes a symbol of dedication and renewal, our lives can reflect the joy and peace that come from being made whole by God. True joy isn’t found in judging others or in letting others’ judgments define us—it’s found in the transformative power of God’s love, which can restore anyone, no matter where they’ve been or what they’ve done.