1 Corinthians 15:58 "...Let nothing move you as you busy yourselves in the Lord’s work. Be sure that nothing you do for him is ever lost or ever wasted." Phillips

God is the One who decides what has value and what does not. What we may esteem as worthless, God may hold in high regard. What may have been used and thrown away, misused and tossed aside, damaged and discarded; God may choose to redeem or reclaim as His own. He may have it is His imagination how such a thing, or situation, or person, might be restored. 

Perhaps, from our limited perspective, what we consider a loss or a failure, a waste; God may perceive worth saving. In the saving, God may see how He can be seen as the One who brought something dead to life again. 

There are several items that could be considered wasted if not properly used. What we have done with ourselves or with our time, talent, treasure and our touch could be considered either productive or unproductive; and in some cases, even a set back. The people we have known may have been beneficial, or maybe, not-so-much. Knowing some people could have even been a hindrance or a regret. Some experiences could be weighed as valuable; others a waste of strength, of youth, of resources, of investment. 

However, in the hands of a Redeemer, what is broken can be mended, what is missing can be completed and what is dead can be resurrected. What is dirty can be washed, what is over can be repurposed and what is worn can be renewed. What is sinking can be rescued, what is simply left over can be made into a remnant and what is trampled on can be raised up again.

What was undeserving, what was shamed, what was gone-and-never-to-be-seen-again are all things that God, my friend, is able to redeem. Nothing is wasted. 

Consider the excess food after Christ fed the multitude. He instructed them to pick up, "Let nothing be wasted." John 6:12

Think of the woman who poured expensive perfume on Jesus' feet or the precious water David poured out. No offering we make is wasted. 

A trial could be what God uses to purify your heart.
A loss could be what God uses to return you to your first love.
A hurtful experience could be what God uses to give you wisdom for what's ahead.
A broken heart could be used by God to enlarge your compassion.

Where does your mind go when I mention reclaiming something that was lost? Maybe it had value to you and maybe it didn't. What is something you have given up on that God is saying, "I'm not done?" Remember this verse:

All things work together for good for those who love God and are called to His purpose. Romans 8:28

Be encouraged. With God, nothing is wasted.