Buicks, Cadillacs, Chevys, Fords, Studebakers, and other classic cars from the 50’s were everywhere I looked. These vehicles were not sitting at a car show, but they were part of the everyday traffic in Havana, Cuba. I have made several trips there with Herald of Truth Ministries to work with local preachers and churches. Every time I visit I am astounded at these cars, many of them over fifty years old. Many of them have been worked over, repaired, and restored. I saw restored busses that had been cobbled together from four or five different “junked” vehicles.

The Cubans have a saying for this type of ingenuity: “old things made new.” They take old, discarded, seemingly useless vehicles and use them to create new, functional vehicles. It works. They make “new” vehicles out of old junk. Apparently dead cars are reborn to usefulness. It gave me a new appreciation for the effort and care it takes to restore them. And they are restored for a purpose. They are needed, they are useful, and they accomplish their purpose.

That is exactly what God does with people in this world. People that society might deem worthless are given value in Jesus. The poor in this world are made rich in Christ. In Jesus, the blind see, the lame walk, and the dead are given new life. Hurting people are healed to help others. In Jesus you are made new. New because the bad things you have done are dead and buried. New because you have surrendered to the call of Jesus in your life. New because you have been crucified with Christ and raised to a new life. New because you now have purpose in your life – a reason you are in this world. New because you are now going to live forever.

Repaired, restored, made new. Old things made new. If you want to know more about this new life, write me at steve@hopeforlife.org. Or join our blog discussion at www.hopeforlife.org.


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