By Jan Null
In preparation for a spring craft show, I purchased an old weathered chair with a wobbly leg and a hole in the caned seat. Most people would have walked right past it or considered it perfect firewood. Not me! I spent a few dollars, sanded the rough edges, reinforced the unsteady leg and tore out the remaining caning. Preparing to paint, I took out my bright pinks and purples. My goal? To repurpose, restore, and make it more beautiful than it was in years past. It would be the perfect place for a flowerpot of pansies!
I was much like that old chair prior to God’s call on my life. I was broken, dirty, and forgotten. I was constantly striving to be noticed. I lived for me! Selfishness ruled. Life was about what I wanted, what I thought would satisfy, what I hoped would bring popularity and fulfillment. My walk was reckless and unsteady. I was greatly deceived and blinded to what was truly important.
Unlike the four dollars I paid for that chair, God paid a great price for me with the blood of Jesus. He put me on a new course. I remember when I first read 1 John 5:13, “These things have been written that you may know that you have eternal life.” I believed that promise and it remains a source of great assurance for me – even today! God began a work of changing me from the inside out. Rather than a new splash of paint to cover up the countless flaws, he forgave, purified, and put his Spirit in me. He started a new work in my life. Most importantly, he gave me a new purpose.
God has numerous purposes for all those who love him. These four are but the beginning of our transformation.
1. A repurposed mind. God transforms us by changing the way we think (Romans 12:2). Then we can know how good and perfect his will really is. This is key since our mind governs our actions.
2. A repurposed heart. God says he will give us a new heart and put a new spirit within us (Ezekiel 36:26). He removes the heart of stone and replaces it with a heart of flesh. Jeremiah tells us the heart is desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9), BUT when the spirit of God permeates our life, he gives us the capacity to truly love. His principles teach us foundational truths enabling us to forgive, encourage, and love others with a soft heart. Only God can make this incredible heart change!
3. A repurposed vision. Seeing our world lost in sin and without hope, we are called to always be ready to give an answer for the hope in us (1 Peter 3:15). Are you ready? Are you looking for opportunities? Does your hope draw people TO you so that you can speak truth?
4. A repurposed life of service. Paul commands us to “Serve wholeheartedly” (Ephesians 6:7)! Our very life is revolutionized to reach out to others who need to get a taste of God’s goodness. God’s Spirit in us draws us to serve others. We become a walking, breathing billboard of what Christ can do in someone’s life because of our service to others.
God’s purposes are being brought to fruition in you and me. He is changing and restoring all that the enemy had stolen, eroded, and deceived. He’s making something good. And with that comes a renewing of our ultimate purpose… to give God glory. Truly rePURPOSED!
So, after using my springiest colors, vivid paisley designs and planting pansies in the seat of the old chair, it is ready for the spring sale. It has experienced a complete makeover, a pale comparison to Christ’s transforming work in my life. We are God’s masterpiece created in Christ Jesus to do good works (Ephesians 2:10). My masterpiece was the repurposed chair. His masterpiece is you and me!