Waste Not

Nº 375

October 7, 2025

God allows us to experience the low points of life in order to teach as the lessons we could learn no other way. - C S Lewis

After feeding the 5,000, Jesus told His disciples, “Let nothing be wasted.” (John 6:12) On one level He was talking about uneaten bread and fish, but on a deeper level He hoped the events of that day would be long remembered.

Don’t waste life’s experiences – especially your pain.

Each of us faces heartaches. Some of us experience excruciating moments of loss and abandonment, while others endure season after season of relentless frustration and defeat. We waste our pain if bitterness, self-pity, or abusive distractions prevent us from learning life lessons.

Isaiah, reflected on pain and recognized the remarkable educational opportunity it provides. He said, “Though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher.” (Isaiah 30:20)

Adversity and affliction will find us all eventually. Your adversity will be different from my affliction; everyone has their own story, but we all share the same Teacher. Through the eyes of adversity and affliction we find new insights and come to know the Teacher.

Pain can be a powerful educator – if we let it. And the greatest lesson is to know the Teacher.

Excelsior,

Dan Bolin

Author & President