LightGrams
December 18, 2025
Volume 29, Number 40
Barnaby Wickam is a collector, something that can be said of many people. But Wickam’s focus in collecting – and what he makes of it – sets him apart from others. This Baltimore, MD marketing specialist is an avid cyclist, and for the past two years has picked up more than 700 hubcaps. At home he turns those hubcaps into works of art.
Let’s be clear: Wickam doesn’t steal hubcaps from cars but picks up those he finds lying by the side of the road. These have worked their way loose as cars drive by, and rarely does a motorist go searching for a lost hubcap. You might say they are now unwanted.
“One man’s junk is another man’s treasure” is true for Wickam, age 54. From his pile of hubcaps, he has constructed Christmas wreaths, a giant fish, and a large head of Snoopy. One of the wreaths was donated to the city, and another to a local nonprofit. Photos of these “sculptures” show that they’re more attractive than you might suspect.
God described Israel as a castoff when He first came upon her: “… You were thrown out into the open field, when you yourself were loathed on the day you were born. And when I passed by you and saw you struggling in your own blood, I said to you in your blood, ‘Live!’ Yes, I said to you in your blood, ‘Live!’” (Ezekiel 16:5,6).
What purpose did God have in mind when He stopped to help this castoff child? Many in the ancient world would take such unfortunate children to make them slaves for their own purposes. But that wasn’t in God’s mind: “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people, for all the earth is Mine” (Exodus 19:5).
Jesus continued this unexpected trend of choosing followers from among people that society calls castoffs. Mark gave this example: “Now it happened, as [Jesus] was dining in Levi’s house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him” (Mark 2:15). Jesus was heavily criticized for associating with such unclean people, but Jesus stated clearly, “I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance” (Mark 2:17).
How thankful we are to hear Peter’s statement of how God views “castoffs”: “…God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10:35,36). Many whom the world has rejected have responded to Jesus’ call: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Those whom the world may cast off are treasured by the Lord. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
~~~~~
Copyright, 2025, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “Tim@GraceMine.org” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
Permission to reproduce and/or use the messages for noncommercial purposes is freely granted provided the messages are not altered.