God Is In The Rebuilding Business

The business is called Varco Motors. They restore vehicles, sell used vehicles, and deal in auto parts. Every time I visit their shop and lot, I'm amazed at how they can turn totaled vehicles into pristine condition. It's not a chop shop - they do great work. It the great work of my wife's family up in Holton, KS.

It's similar to the lives God works on. Our lives can be a total wreck - in other words - like a totaled vehicle from an accident. Most people would think beyond repair. It might be a life that isn't drivable...just sitting on a lot or thrown into a junk heap. Maybe we totaled out life because of consequences to choices we've made - or maybe circumstance simply landed us there. Regardless, our life can be totaled at anytime...just like a freak accident on a sunny day on an open road.

Just like Varco Motors, God doesn't "write off" a life. Every life is salvagable. Most vehicles that find their way to Varco ends up being restored. The frame is pulled on some, others have two vehicles that are put together to restore one, and yet another vehicle the engine is overhauled. It's not that the vehicle was too far gone - it just needed to be 'loved' by some smart guys who know how to put them back together again.

God is the One who decides how our lives will be used in the process. And some vehicles are used for certain purposes - some for a complete rebuild and some for parts. Our lives are used for different purposes by God. Sometimes we aren't happy how God chooses to use our lives in the grand scheme of His kingdom business. It's important to remember, not every life gets rebuilt. It's up to the real "owner" to decide. Even though every life could be salvageable, sometimes God chooses not to fully restore the life. Why do some lives make it back from the brink and others do not? Sometimes it's the choices we make. You see, I think sometimes I actually "own" my life. Really, I don't. The only "owner" is God - I'm simply the manager. Being restored has a lot to do with which owner is making the decision. If the REAL owner left the decision up to the public as to how the vehicles get restored - the business would fail. It's up to the owner with the experience and understanding of the vehicle/life to decide. Who do you view as owning your life?

When it comes to putting the pieces back together again - God is the ultimate life mechanic. Why? Because He's the one who built the life to begin with. He knows what's under the hood. He knows what functions the vehicle is supposed to carry out. Who better to restore the vehicle than the One who designed it.

Why would God take the time to restore a life that's been restored? It can still serve a purpose. Many of Varco's vehicles have gotten more miles than brand new stuff does. Could it be that they in the process of rebuilding that the vehicles are improved (factory recalls taken car of, etc.)? Don't write off a life that seems like it's destroyed. If someone is willing to give their life to God - He has the ability to turn a totaled life into a brand new vehicle.

God, thank You so much for designing my life - and then caring enough to restore me, if I choose to let You do so. While I never seek out to destroy my life - I'm human and live in a world that offers no hope of having a perfect life. I depend on You, my Creator and Restorer, until my life ends on this earth.

LINKS:
Varco Motors (re-build shop)
Varco Mostors West & Parts Division (used cars & parts)