Purpose or Re-purpose?

I recently re-purposed an old tool box. I filled it with plants, attached it to a ladder and placed it on my front porch. I have a collection of both tool boxes and ladders, so this project wasn’t as difficult as you might think.

In our world today, people have coined the phrase, “re-purpose.” Take an item that is of no value in itself or for its past purpose, and recreate it into something beautiful, useful, or beneficial. Trash to treasure.

If you don’t know how to do this, don’t worry! There are plenty of books, websites, and pieces of advice on just how to go about re-purposing something.

And if you don’t have the time or talent to do this on your own, there are shops out there that sell this type of product. Second-hand shops have gained new momentum in sales because of our desire to re-purpose items.

It’s no different with our lives. We believe we’ve come to the place where we know our purpose and have set out on the right path, but then life changes. Jobs are lost. Homes are taken. Lives are turned upside down.

We have no option but to “re-purpose” ourselves and our lives.

But then there are those who are looking for the first purpose in their life. “Why am I on this earth?” “Is this all there is to life?” These may be questions you’ve asked. And they are legitimate questions. We must figure it out.

Rick Warren’s “Purpose Driven Life”[i] has sold over 30 million copies! 30 million people throughout the world are asking those same questions. You are not alone.

According to Mr. Warren, we are on earth for these five purposes: worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and mission. I believe it is that simple. I may not have the specifics of his book here, but the main purposes he gives are pretty simple.

I’ve put together a few of my own thoughts on this topic. Let’s take a look at them.

God is in the middle of it and He isn’t going to abandon your journey. Psalm 138:8 (NIV) says, “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever—do not abandon the works of your hands.” God knows what your purpose in life is. His Word is filled with those purposes. Searching Scripture and learning what they are will bring satisfaction to your soul.

The apostle Paul had many purposes before meeting Jesus. After that introduction, Paul changed. His life changed. His purpose changed. Paul was re-purposed for God’s use. He says in Acts 20:24 (NIV), “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.”

Sharing the Gospel was Paul’s purpose. Paul was open to God’s leadership and moved in God’s direction. Of course, this is one of our purposes as well. To share God’s grace with those we come in contact with.

Paul speaks of heaven in 2 Corinthians 5:5 (NIV). “Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” It is a purpose for which we were created. To spend eternity with God in heaven.

Verses 1-4 speak of moaning while in this “earthly tent.” That doesn’t sound pleasant, but once in heaven, we have the opportunity for life to flow through us and to be part of the heavenly dwelling. Now that is a wonderful re-purpose! I don’t know about you, but I cannot wait to be part of it.

I believe it is easy to fall into the trappings of our world and spend much of our lives searching for our purpose while here. But I say search God’s Word to find your purpose. Seek God’s Kingdom first and foremost. These aren’t my words, they are Jesus’ words of encouragement to us. “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33 – NIV) Are you ready to begin the re-purpose journey?

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

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[i] Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren, 1997, Zondervan