September 20. Purpose Or Repurpose.

As a leader of a family or organization, we lead teams and direct resources. If we know our purpose, we are more likely to get the right people with the right resources. A recycling center takes what one believes to be worthless and gives it a new purpose. Your trash is their treasure.

But how can that be? It is all focused on the purpose. Imagine if the recycling center though, had as team members-pyromaniacs. This may not be the best example of the right people in the right place. What if the center used its capital to have flamethrowers and garden hoses instead of bins and conveyor belts?

Wrong resources with the right people will not serve a distinct purpose very well either. But get the right people, with the right resources and we will find value. It is like the recycling center which takes car and truck loads of other’s trash and repurposes it where others are willing to pay for it.

Your trash is truly priceless. Where in your team do you need a right fit person? If the right person walked in front of you, do you have a purpose statement ready to share? As a leader, one of our leadership roles is to put the purpose and the people together. Both could be priceless. What is the first thing you can do about it in the next seven days?

As followers of Christ, we all bring our special gifts. Sometimes in our own minds, our gifts do not seem valuable. I think that some people do not know their special gifts. When that happens growth is restricted, it is stunted, and it holds the entire team back.

We read, “He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” Ephesians 4:16 NLT. Do you see the effect of having a gift and of being a part of the team?

It resulted in growing with love. If we do not know and use our special gifts, we are restricting our experience of the fullness of love. What are your special gifts? If I were to ask you to gauge your use of your special gifts this year, how would you be doing? If you look into the future, the next thirty days, how will you be using your special gifts?

It might be that the most beneficial thing to do, to experience Christ's love, would be to use these gifts. What is the first thing you can do about it in the next seven days?

Let us pray, Heavenly Father, you have created each of us so uniquely. We give you thanks for these blessings and these gifts. We acknowledge that you bestow them upon us with love. We pray that you will help those that do not know their gifts, to be in a state of discovery.

Help us to take what has been ignored or even discarded and repurpose it. Send the Holy Spirit to us now to gather us to grow as your people and to honor you with our words and deeds. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen,