With all the seasonal highway construction happening in our area, I knew we needed signs to alert drivers to slow down for our 7th Annual Bad Dawg Ultra course. A recent bridge closure had pushed extra traffic onto the normally quiet back roads our runners use, so we needed to warn drivers fast. That need sent me praying for the best and most inexpensive way to get it done, since the race is one of our biggest fundraisers for our OneSolePurpose project, and signage can be costly.
Then this divinely inspired thought came to me: “Use recent election campaign signs! Most people are throwing them out anyway. Why not repurpose them?” By God’s grace, after reaching out to a few people on my team, a recently elected official gladly offered up the ones he had used in his own campaign. Just like that, we were abounding in free signs! What was worthless to others was of value to us! With some inexpensive bright construction paper, duct tape, and a bold new message—”SLOW DOWN, RUNNERS ON ROAD,” handwritten in broad black Sharpie—the signs were as good as new.
To “repurpose” something means “to use an object, building, or piece of content for a completely different function than it was originally designed for—rather than throwing it away or letting it go to waste.” The Bible tells us that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) The purpose we used to live for—satisfying the longings of the flesh—is no longer our purpose for living.
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)
When we are born again, our flesh has been crucified—put to death—with Christ; our new purpose is to live for Jesus. God gives us countless eternal opportunities. We enter into them by seeking to know Him better every day, by serving Him, and by serving others.
Is that amazing or what?
No matter what your old life was like, be thankful that when you chose to accept Jesus as your Savior, God repurposed you to live for Him. And if you haven’t yet made that choice, do it today. It will be the best decision you ever make. Today is the day of salvation!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me such a satisfying purpose when I am walking in Your ways. Help me surrender every area of my life to You just as Jesus surrendered His life for me. Use me as a vessel for others to come to know You. It’s in Your precious name I pray, Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!
Melissa Sharp is an ultra runner and running coach who has completed more than 100 marathons and ultra marathons. Melissa has learned how to keep running the race of life for the glory of Christ even though she endured decades of domestic abuse. Melissa is a survivor. Through her daily blog thejoyfilledrunner she inspires others to live in the strength of Christ.
