Nothing is Wasted

When I started writing in January and February, I found and fell down the rabbit hole that is “The Nothing is Wasted Podcast” (https://www.nothingiswasted.com/podcast). Hosted by Davy Blackburn, the weekly podcast interviews people with the goal of understanding how God has worked through the suffering they have faced in their life. With well over 300 episodes, the interviewees come from varied backgrounds and have overcome, through God’s grace, a wide variety of experiences. This summer, while I had jumped out of the rabbit hole for our move, the podcast featured a special series in preparation of the release of the book, “Nothing is Wasted: A Ture Story of Hope, Forgiveness, and Finding Purpose in Pain” by Davy Blackburn, detailing God’s work in Davy’s life after the murder of his wife and unborn daughter. Today I want to share a quick review of the podcast and book. I was surprised by how much I learned from both this fall, even though I had devoured many episodes while walking the dog, exercising, and doing chores in the spring.

My first surprise was that Levi Lusko, author of the book “Through the Eyes of a Lion”, wrote the forward to the book and finally appeared on the podcast during the book release episodes. I had been wondering why he hadn’t been interviewed yet! Apparently, the book “Through the Eyes of a Lion” had also been instrumental to Davy as he walked through his grief journey. During the interview, I was particularly inspired by their conversation about being tempted to cling to our pain as a way to stay connected to our departed loved ones. Levi challenged listeners to remember that we can also be connected to our loved ones in our healing. Levi and his wife, Jennie, also host a podcast. Their recent interview of Davy before the release of his book was also full of fresh insight for me, particularly the explanation of how everything passes through the hand of God and the challenge to see triggers to our grief as an invitation to deeper healing (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uWXXQbk3QA).

While listening to the book and podcast series, I was also surprised to find the title of the book and podcast comes from the title of a song by Elevation Worship, “Nothing is Wasted”. I don’t believe I was familiar with the song before this, but it is on my playlist now!

You are loving, You are wise
There is nothing in my life You cannot revive
You are loving, You are wise
There is nothing too hard for our God

Nothing is wasted
You work all things for good
Nothing is wasted
Your promise remains
Forever You reign

The book was not a surprise, as it was every bit as good as I expected after finding the podcast so full of reality and hope. “Nothing is Wasted: A True Story of Hope, Forgiveness, and Finding Purpose in Pain” tells the story of the murder of Davy’s wife and the grief journey that Davy and his family and friends walk. It was full of truth about the challenges of losing someone you love and about how God is with us every step of the way in our pain. He discusses guilt, forgiveness, wrestling with God, blessing, hope, the refining power of pain, and ultimately redemption and restoration. He reminds us that it is when we look back we can say: surely goodness and mercy will follow me, because it has been following me. Looking back, we can see how God has prepared, sustained, healed, and provided. I especially appreciated the reminder that God often works in process in our life, slowly healing us as he changes our perspective. The book is also a call to see God as the author of our story, our pain, our healing, our purpose, and our restoration. As such, our goal should be to trust Him and strive to live well in a difficult world, pursuing holiness not happiness and Jesus not comfort.

I am so thankful for the lessons I have learned from the podcast and book. In reading and listening I come away with fresh insights, I am challenged by new perspectives, I see the goodness of God in suffering, and I don’t feel so alone in my grief.