Priceless Belt in a Trashcan

For more than 14 years, my mother has strung pearls for stores on prestigious Worth Avenue of Palm Beach, Florida. One day while delivering some work to one of these stores, she was in the back of the store when she noticed a beautiful belt lying in a trashcan. When she asked about the belt, the owner remarked that she had "no use" for the belt any longer. My mother, being the humble woman that she is, asked if the owner would mind if she gave the throw-away belt to her daughter. The owner agreed, and mom took the beautiful belt out of the trashcan.

My mom looked at the belt to see why it was "useless." Were some of the beads torn off the leather, or was the buckle broken? After examining the belt more closely, my mom realized that the belt was not only in perfect condition, but also was worth at least $300. The detailed beadwork mounted on leather was awesome! My mom couldn't wait to give the beautiful belt to her oldest child. I never wear the belt without remembering where it was taken from-a trashcan in a Palm Beach store.

While reading in Jeremiah 13, I came across another "priceless belt in a trashcan." This belt was not created by artists in China; this belt was a people that God had chosen for his glory. What had rendered the belt "useless"? The buckle was not broken, and the beadwork was not torn from the leather. This belt (God’s people) was useless because of stubborn hearts and a refusal to listen to God's Word.

Jeremiah 13:10-11 says, “These wicked people, who refuse to listen to My words, who follow the stubbornness in their hearts…will be like this belt-completely useless! For as a belt is bound around a man's waist, so I bound the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah to Me," declares the Lord, "to be My people for My renown and praise and honor…"

These people had been chosen and pulled close to God, as close as one wraps a belt around one's waist. The privilege of closeness and intimacy with Almighty God should have resulted in a people who brought God praise and honor, people chosen to be wrapped around God as a priceless belt or a trusted confidant. "The Lord confides in those who fear Him; He makes His covenant known to them" (Psalm 25:14). I find security in being wrapped around the Father and of being of priceless value to Him as he confides in me (see John 14:21; Ephesians 1:9). Being one of God's daughters, I don’t ever want to be found "useless" because of my own stubbornness or be found in a "trash can" because I would not listen to the Father!

Written by: Jackie Kendall; copyright virtuousreality.com
Jackie Kendall is President of Power to Grow Ministries and a much sought after speaker to women of all ages and stages of life. She is the author of the best-selling Lady in Waiting and A Lunatic on a Limb With Jesus. Visit her website www.jackiekendall.com