There is a lot of interest and energy lately around the concept of repurposing. I confess that I watch a lot of home improvement shows and they are always repurposing old crates into rustic coffee tables or making bookshelves out of old school lockers, and things like that. In the art world, there are many artists who create interesting art pieces from old-fashioned kitchen utensils, tins, banks and toys found at flea markets or antique stores.
The concept of repurposing came to my mind recently when read again the story in Scripture of the conversion of St. Paul. Here was a man was zealous in his persecution of Christians. But God repurposed this man’s zealousness to promote the Christian message instead. The story of the repurposing of Saul to Paul makes us realize that God can do dramatic things with what is put before him. Like a craftsperson at a workbench with various pieces laid out, God can create something beautiful and unexpected from the most random of things.
In our lives, we may be struggling with our purpose: Am I in a dead-end job? Do I have skills that are being unused or underused? Am I feeling unfulfilled in my tasks? It may be time, then, to go to God in prayer and say “Repurpose me! Use me in a way I haven’t thought of or been aware of that I may live more fully as a follower of Christ.”
God will open your eyes to new opportunities. As he says in the Bible:
“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:19).
God will help something spring to mind that you may perceive it, and he has the power to redirect your efforts in a way that is more energizing and meaningful to you and your life of faith in Christ.
Maybe it is teaching a Bible class, because you were once a teacher long ago. Maybe it is helping to repair the roof at church, since you were a roofer back in the day. The repurposing can take many other forms more dramatic than these, of course. But you get the picture. Each of us has purpose and the ability to be repurposed by God. Let God show you where and why.
To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1
