Recently, I took a picture to a local framing shop. After discussing with the owner what I wanted, I was instructed to pick out the matte color and the type of wood to be used to make the frame. I was shown a wall that had dozens of wood samples from which to choose for the frame. There were different colors of wood, a variety of patterns, a number of thickness, shapes and cuts.

After making my selection, I brought the wood sample to the store owner. We agreed on a price and he began work on my frame. What happened next caused my jaw to drop and is something that I will never, ever forget.

The store owner took the wood sample from me and looked it over curiously. He then walked back to the area where the frames are cut and assembled and began looking through the scrap bin. ... Yes, ... the SCRAP BIN!!!

You can imagine the look on my face as I watched the owner pull out several 'scraps' of wood that matched the sample that I had given him. One by one, he looked them over, inspecting for damage, making sure they were usable, and then began the process of constructing my frame.

At first, I was angry that MY frame was being made from 'scraps'. After a short time, the store owner presented me with my framed picture. My anger was quickly displaced however when I saw the finished product. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It was absolutely beautiful.

How could something that was made from discarded pieces of scrap come together to make something so perfect, beautiful and useful?

Today my picture hangs on a wall in my living room. When I have guests over, I often get nice compliments on it. If they only knew.

Only in the hands of a master craftsman can such a transformation take place. Creating order from chaos. You see it when a painter creates a masterpiece from carefully mixed hues of ink; from a potter who shapes blocks of clay into beautiful pottery; from a florist who creates a lovely arrangement.

My frame reminds me of the church body. The church is made up of people with different backgrounds, different talents and gifts - all coming together to glorify God. Much like the wood in my frame that was saved from destruction, we are all sinners who have been saved by Jesus Christ from eternal destruction.

The Bible describes the church in I Corinthians 12:12 and 27:

"The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.(v12) Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. (v27)" (NIV)

Roy Putnam, in his book "In It to Win It" said it this way: "We don't join the church and become a Christian. We join Christ and become the church."

On our own, we are like scraps of wood and are useless. However, when we submit ourselves to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, we allow Him to be the final authority in our lives. He is the Master Craftsman. He takes our imperfections and molds us into His Church to His Glory. In His hands, we are..."made holy, useful to the Master and prepared for any good work." 2 Timothy 2:21 (NIV)

Have you experienced the life-changing power of Jesus Christ? Have you allowed yourself to be taken out of the scrap bin and made into something beautiful? Have you joined Christ and become the Church?

Dear Lord, you are the Master Craftsman. On our own we can do nothing, but in your hands, we are made into something beautiful and useful. Help us to remember that you have fashioned us into a great body called the Church in order to bring glory to You. Amen.