Repurposed

Repurposed

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.                 2 Corinthians 5:17  

I've had a growing appreciation for antique malls and stores over the past few years - my thanks to friends and family who introduced me to this enthusiasm. I find that my enduring interest has grown affectionately nostalgic especially from discoveries of familiar items from my childhood. Most of the time I enjoy just walking and browsing and finding treasures here and there but my fascination has really grown as I observe items that seem to be useless, old, worn out, rough looking or rusty - things I see and sometimes think are a waste of selling space and yet people will purchase these items with a purpose in mind. I confess I have bought a few things a time or two and made good use of them myself.

I am wondrously amazed at the masterpieces that are created from items that seem worthless and ugly, but in the eyes of an artist contain potential! I've seen picture frames made with old window panes and walls paneled with old barn wood siding. How many times have rough old pieces of furniture been sanded, refinished or maybe taken apart only to be reconstructed to be made into something totally different? For example, on "Pinterest" are pictures of baby cribs turned into beautiful bench seats, quilt holders, chalkboards and baby gates etc.

The term we use today for this masterful creativity is called "repurposing" defined by Merriam-Webster " as to change (something) so that it can be used for a different purpose." This word makes me think of our Heavenly Creator who loves us so much that He took everyone of us and "repurposed" and is still "repurposing" us for His use. Some of us have felt set aside, worn out and useless from past mistakes until Jesus came along and saw our intrinsic value and a specific direction for our lives. How many times did we almost give up hope feeling worthless and ugly because of seemingly unforgivable sins we committed or because of offenses and deep hurt that came from people we trusted? It seemed we were going to be shelved permanently....lost....no one to care....then Jesus, The Master Creator, came passing by and His loving eyes fell on each one of us who were broken thinking all hope was lost! He gently picked us up, paid the bill, took us home, washed us off with waters of baptism and added a coat of Holy Ghost "paint". He knew He could use this vessel and filled it with His purpose for His Kingdom. It doesn't matter how many people pass us by; what matters is that our Heavenly Father eyed us and saw our need, our pain and our potential and made us His very own. It was love at first sight for Him. No matter what the culture, family, friends or acquaintances think or say, God's purpose in our lives is foremost and we must stay focused on that purpose....everything else is a distraction!!

In Luke 19:1-10 while passing through Jericho, Jesus eyed a much hated rich man named Zacchaeus hiding in a sycamore tree. In verse 5 Jesus invites Himself to the tax collector's home for lunch and in verses 9 and 10 after Zacchaeus confesses his wrongdoing and commits to making things right, Jesus says to him, "... This day is salvation come to this house.... For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Jesus rocked Zacchaeus' world! A man who was scorned and dismissed was sought by The Master who forgave him, loved him and set him on the right path. If you have felt or are feeling broken, useless or passed by, please rest assured that The Savior sees, hears and knows exactly where you are at this season in your life. You are not ever lost to Him. He longs to have a relationship with you. A familiar passage in Romans 8:35-39 says that nothing can "...separate us from the love of God,...". There is no love like the love of Jesus Christ. He doesn't fail or make mistakes and He is always looking to "repurpose" priceless possessions for His kingdom. He values you more than you could ever know!

 

-Written By Becky Spann