“For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” (2 Corinthians 5:1 ESV)

I have been busy. I have had to replace worn out parts in various household appliances, alongside the general duties and the usual chores. Things get to a certain age, and either you throw an item away as beyond mending and get a new one, or you repair it.

We have older iPhones shared out among the family for safety and security. The problem with an older iPhone is that the battery loses its ability to hold a charge, and then becomes unreliable, making the phone unfit for its original, intended purpose. Fortunately, I am able and dexterous enough to stack up my glasses, disassemble the phone battery, and install a new one.

Caroline’s phone had to have its battery replaced, as it had expanded and was no longer working properly. I had bought a genuine replacement, and so I set about the task of removing the tiny — ever-so-tiny — screws that hold down the plugs in their sockets.

When I got everything back together, I was surprised that the new battery was as bad as the old one that I had taken out. Then, my gaze alighted upon the new battery still sitting in its plastic cover, untouched. In my haste, I had put the old battery back in the phone. Oh dear! My mind and gaze were not really focused on the job.

There was nothing for it but to have a do-over — and remember to get the new battery out of the packet first! It was a fiddly job, but I am glad to say that it turned out okay, much to my relief.

It made me think about how God sometimes allows us a do-over. He does not throw us away when we are worn out, burnt out, no longer able to hold our spiritual charge to worship and praise God. He it is Who repairs us by an act of grace and replenishes our beings. Sometimes by a miracle, He gives us more time here on earth, taking us away from death’s door.

Eventually, we all become totally physically worn out for this world, beyond repair by human agency, and God gladly gives a new, eternal body to all those whose hope is in Jesus as their Saviour.

Jesus is the ultimate upcycler. He picks us up from the dust and takes us up into heaven. Our temporal bodies may wear out, but Jesus’ love for us is eternal. Praise God! He paid the price for Christians, for our sins and shortcomings.

Let us be sure to share this glad news with those who have not yet met Jesus!

Prayer: Lord, You are the Creator, Lover, and Sustainer of our souls. We will never be worthy of renewal by our own efforts alone. Please visit us today by the presence of Your Holy Spirit, to bring the refreshment and inner peace that comes only from You. We rejoice that through Jesus’ death and resurrection, You have set in place an everlasting pathway for us to heaven, open to all who trust in Jesus as their Saviour. Hallelujah, Jesus! Amen.

Copyright © 2021, by Rod Marshall <roderickmarshall@yahoo.com>, first published on the PresbyCan Daily Devotional presbycan.ca .
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England