Neal Pollard
Polystyrene was accidentally discovered by a German apothecary named Eduard Simon in 1839. He had no idea what to do with the polymer and it would not be used in manufacturing for more than a century. In fact, it wasn’t until the 1950s that it was used in packaging, insulation, and food containers. Its versatility became somewhat its trademark.
Environmental awareness led to its ban in a growing number of places due to the difficulty of recycling the material. But the plastics industry and entrepreneurs’ innovative spirit continue to find applications for it–fill material in civil engineering projects like roads and retaining walls, forms and molds in concrete work, insulation panels, floating docks and other nautical items, sound absorption panels, and more. You’ll find it in homes, cars, airplanes, ships, and nearly every public space.
It’s flimsy, yet resilient. It’s flexible in utility. It is often unseen while serving a vital function. It’s found in so many different places doing so many different things.
You and I were no accident. Our Maker knew exactly what He wanted us to be. The mastery of His work is such that we are capable of so many different purposes, all of which are meant to be useful and helpful to those around us. We’re pretty unremarkable and fragile in so many ways, yet our service and actions can outlive us for a long, long time. Romans 12:6-8 highlights all the potential ways we can be used by God to accomplish His purpose. None of these is insignificant (Ephesians 4:12-16). What’s more enjoyable than looking for new ways to be used for God’s glory?
Paul uses a different substance to describe us, but the idea is quite similar. He says, “For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness,’ is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves” (2 Corinthians 4:5-7). We are earthen vessels, unspectacular of ourselves. But God utilizes us to share the most important message of history. Because of Him, we have value. Despite our weaknesses (2 Corinthians 4:16-18), He displays His strength through us to His glory! May we never forget that we were made for His purpose and never discount our value in His hand!
ALWAYS GOOD