Remnants
My mom loved to sew when we were kids. She made a lot of our clothes. I remember going to the fabric store with her and thumbing through the patterns while she was picking out fabrics. The lady who worked there would carry the bolt of fabric to a long table. I can still hear the thud of the fabric bolt as it was being turned over and over as she measured out the material length my mom needed. With very sharp scissors she would cut the cloth to the exact measurement, fold it up, write something on a sticker and stick it to the cloth so the cashier would know how much to charge her for it.
Sometimes there wasn't much fabric left on the bolt afterward. The lady would take what was left, measure and then fold it neatly, put a sticker on it with how much remained and place it in a section of materials... all marked REMNANTS. What I really loved about that section was the exceptional variety of pieces. Some bold and some muted. Some highly textured and others silky smooth. Burlap and extravagant. Light and dark. Solid colors and wild patterns. Worth saving because someone, some time would need just such a remnant for the project at hand.
The Dictionary of Bible Themes* describes a remnant as "a small group of people who remain faithful to God, despite widespread unbelief or faithlessness around them. God preserves a remnant in order to ensure a renewed and restored people in the future." Throughout God's Word, there were remnants of people who remained faithful to God, especially in dark times. Even today, when we see much darkness in this world, God is preserving a remnant who are committed to keeping the faith.
In 1 Peter 1:1-2 (MSG), Peter speaks to those who are holding on, steadfast in their faith. " I, Peter, am an apostle on assignment by Jesus, the Messiah, writing to exiles scattered to the four winds. Not one is missing, not one forgotten. God the Father has his eye on each of you, and has determined by the work of the Spirit to keep you obedient through the sacrifice of Jesus. May everything good from God be yours!" If you're feeling a bit like the leftover remnant of cloth - unsure of where you fit in - God sees you. Peter said, 'not one is missing, not one forgotten.' God has His eye on you and there is something special He has planned just for you to accomplish. Keep the faith!
*Dictionary of Bible Themes Scripture index copyright Martin H. Manser, 2009.
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