She Lives Encouraged

We’ve all seen piles of large garbage items as we drive down the streets as people have decluttered their homes.  Or, perhaps, we have gone to a flea market or thrift store and see items that were tossed away.  You know, the items that are old, no longer useful, torn and tattered, and it’s just no longer of any value to the owners.

Yet, the next thing that will happen is another person will come along and browse.  And seeing what has been placed in the pile of items for the garbage truck to take away, or placed on a shelf at the thrift store cluttered among other unvalued items…this one person will stop and take their newly found piece of treasure home.

What I love even more is how the new owner feels about their new treasure. Smiling. Proud of a his find. Rescuer of this treasure being tossed away.  They know exactly what they are going to do with it once it belongs to them. What happens next is the process of transforming this item into something better.  Something beautiful. Something purposeful.  Something useful. Something valuable. Again.

I am amazed each time that this is exactly what God does with each of us.  It is exactly how He transforms and repurposes us for HIS purpose when we surrender ourselves to Him and what He wants of us.  The world around us is constantly telling us how we need to make ourselves better, how we need to reinvent ourselves.  All you need to do is turn on the TV or radio and listen to all the ads to look, feel, and be better…as if you are not enough already.

You see, we can be like that beaten up old item on the curb. The world viewing us as not good enough, having no value, discouraged and we’re beat up by life’s trials…and we’re placed on the curb of life believing everything we hear.

But then…you hear God’s word. Maybe for the first time. Maybe you’ve heard it your whole life, but have never really surrendered to Him. Maybe you’ve been following Him diligently and asking yourself “what is my purpose, Lord?”  And as your heart and soul is sitting on the curb of life, feeling at your lowest, or questioning God…He sees you, He comes and swoops you off the curbside…His precious treasure. He takes you in His hands and starts His transforming work on you.  And from that moment on we are transformed. Repurposed.

I remember going thru a time of wondering what God was doing after being in ministry for so many years; when all I wanted to do for Him was do what I had been doing for Him my whole life: singing. And a few years ago, serving in that ministry at church came to a close. I spent days wondering why. Asked the Lord lots of questions. And it took some time (a couple years due to my hesitancy) for Him to repurpose the talent He gave me in a different way.  And now He has me raising up a younger generation in worship ministry! (And yes, I still sing my heart out at church, in my car, and at home).  I can’t tell you how awesome and what a blessing it has been!!! I know that’s a lot of exclamation points, but do you see how He repurposed me? He still used me and what He gave me, but in a different way and purpose (just like that pallet repurposed as a coffee table).

In Exodus 9:16, Moses is listening to God tell him, “But I have raised you up for this very PURPOSE, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” (niv)  Moses is hearing from the Lord what His purpose is and how he will be used. Can you imagine how Moses felt?  You see, Moses had no clue or idea while growing up what God had in store for him. This wasn’t Moses’ plan or purpose, it was God’s.  God uses so many lives for so many reasons…He will use even you and me. Let me tell you, the Bible is filled with real people who God repurposed:

David – A shepherd boy repurposed as King of Israel

Peter – A fisherman repurposed as Jesus’ disciple

Luke – A doctor repurposed as Jesus’ disciple

Esther – young common girl repurposed for Queen who would save God’s people from being persecuted

Samaritan Woman at the Well – divorced 5 times and living with another man outside of marriage repurposed after she met Jesus she went and testified to her household and then her whole community believed in Jesus Christ

Lydia – A prosperous female business owner repurposed for hosting the disciples and church in her household

Paul – an educated man who hated and persecuted Christians was repurposed to boldly evangelize the gospel of Jesus Christ

You see, if God can take a shepherd boy, a fisherman, a young common girl, a business owner, a doctor, a murderer and all of the above and more…then there is absolutely no doubt that He can repurpose you and me.

In fact, it is His purpose for you that will take place no matter what; even though we may question Him or hesitate on what He wants of us –  “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21(niv)

And in His purpose and plans for us, there is only blessings of prosperity, hope and a future beyond today – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11(niv)

My friend, let me encourage you today that God has repurposed your life and mine from the moment we came to know Him!  Maybe you are wondering what He’s doing with your life right now. Is he repurposing you in your profession, or ministry, or other places in your life?  Maybe you know exactly what His purpose is for you and it’s just time to surrender.  Much like the list of our friends above, who had no idea what was in store for them as they were repurposed, have faith and believe that the Lord is doing His craftsman work on you.  Trust Him. You are so valuable to Him.  His newly found treasure.

 

(Remember to take a look around and see who you can encourage today. God bless you and we’ll visit each other next week!)