Philippians 3:4-7 (NIV®)
If someone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
Paul began his Jesus-story as a Pharisee named Saul of Tarsus. Saul was one of the meanest men we meet in Scripture, and then he met Jesus and became one of the most tenacious advocates for the faith we’ve ever known. In this passage he’s sharing his impressive resume. God turned Saul’s life in a different direction and used his background and training for His purposes. All of the things that made Saul a great Pharisee made him a great Jesus-follower. He advocated for Jesus with the same tenacity he had persecuted the Church. If you’ve accumulated knowledge and developed skills with no intention of using them for the Lord, I promise you Jesus can repurpose all that. He knows how to redeem time spent in other pursuits, and He knows how to repurpose your life experiences.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You that You are in the business of repurposing our lives. Show me how I can serve Your purposes in the earth. Give me a willingness to use everything I have to extend Your Kingdom, even the parts of my life that don’t seem very useful. May Your Kingdom come. In Jesus’ mighty name, amen.
