REpurposed
Vessels
By Karen D’Amore
“Therefore if anyone
is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.”
2
Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
An
embellished, vintage drawer pull transforms into a unique necklace. Discarded
wood pallets are reconfigured into rustic furnishings. Beverage bottles, mason
jars and cheap throw-away vases are converted into decorative candle holders
and vases. The latest trend in “re-purposing” goods has become a popular and
infectious phenomenon! The concept of “trash to treasure” re-creations inspired
me to create my own creations called REpurposed
Vessels, where I transformed throw-away glass containers into unique one-of-a-kind, re-usable items.
My
repurposing projects have several steps. I begin by soaking and cleansing
the vessels from the inside out.
Next is stripping off the old
labels. I study the size, shape and color of each clean, bare vessel to
determine its new purpose and suitable ornamentations. Each vessel is then clothed
with fabric, adorned with varying textures and lace trimmings
and finally embellished with shiny
bling.
The
dictionary defines repurpose as “to
give a new purpose or use to.”[1] Items originally discarded as trash and considered
useless are repurposed and redeemed for something useful. Something worthless
takes on a new meaning and transforms into something valuable.
Catching
a glimpse of my reflection in one of my repurposed projects drew me to consider
deeper Spiritual parallels in how God repurposes lives. As I reflect on my
personal life journey, I resonate deeply with the “trash to treasure” concept.
Before I invited Jesus to rule and reign in my life, I was living a life dead
in sin (Ephesians
2:13). My sin-filled, messy life was a heap of useless rubbish. But glory to
God who changed that!
As
our Redeemer, Restorer and Master Repurpose-er, God uses a similar process to
transform useless, frayed vessels or lives (non-believers) into something
useful (believers). Through the blood of Jesus, He cleanses us from the inside out (John
3:16, 1 John 1:9; Isaiah 1:18) and clothes us in righteousness (Isaiah
61:10). He strips away our “old
labels” (carnal attributes) making us new, clean vessels…to be filled by Him
and for His purpose (Ephesians
4:22). He faithfully adorns
us with grace (Romans
5:15, 17), embellishes us with His
everlasting love and transforms us into vessels where He can sparkle and shine
(1
John 3:1, 4:7).
“We have this treasure in earthen vessels that
it may be clear that the surpassing power is from God…” (2
Corinthians 4:7, NIV). Believers are transformed by God from “trash to
treasure.” As His REpurposed Vessels, we’re re-designed to shine His love and reflect
His glory.
Where
are you in God’s repurposing process?
GOING DEEPER:
1. What area of your heart/life needs repurposing?
FURTHER READING:
Married
to Dan, Karen, a retired police officer, currently works as a Manicurist at
Craig Berns Salon and Foot Care Specialist at Shorehaven Senior Facility. She’s
on the Oakwood Women’s Ministry Special Events planning team.
