Key Verses: Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.’ 1 Corinthians 1:26:31

Recycling: Taking what could be trash and making something useful from it.

Repurposing: Taking something that is not useful and making it useful for another purpose.

Reconditioning: Taking something old, remaking it to be useful for its original purpose.

Remodeling: Tearing out the old of a home and rebuilding it with the modern amenities.

In our modern culture it has become fashionable to be environmentally friendly. We are rightfully taught not to waste but to recycle. There are numerous TV shows all about creative uses for other people’s trash, restoring cars and homes and even makeover shows for people. We are encouraged to salvage and utilize rather than waste, and when we do well, we exhibit great pride in our ingenuity.

Have you ever considered that God has been doing these very same things from the beginning with people? He recycles the worn out and remakes them to accomplish great tasks for His glory. He repurposes the messed up as He calls them to other purposes for Him and His Kingdom. He reconditions the weary with new energy and a new assignment to do what others would see as impossible. He remodels a life that is worn down through mistakes and rebuilds that person into a valuable vessel in His hands.

In the devotions that follow, we will encounter people we read about throughout the Bible, and how God used these people. We will discover that these biblical people are real people just like us. They had flaws, weaknesses, sketchy pasts, and impossible odds. But, God chose them and used them anyway. In fact, God seldom chooses those who are the most likely to succeed. Instead, He chooses the outcast, the underdog, and the unlikely option.

Why would God so often choose the most unlikely of heroes in His plan? Because when these unlikely succeed, everyone around knows that God must have done it because these were unable to do anything. When God uses the useless, God gets the credit and God gets the glory. Time after time we see this play out in Scripture as God chooses the least likely and then does great things through them. That’s how God worked throughout the Bible.

He still works that same way today. He takes the weak and downtrodden and wins incredible victories for His kingdom through them. You may feel like you have nothing to offer God’s Kingdom. You may feel that your past disqualifies you. Or, you may have concluded that your disability, age or gender precludes you from being used. If you think you have little or nothing to offer to God, then you are the perfect candidate to do beautiful, amazing, and miraculous things for God. When He uses you, He will be the One that gets the credit. And, you will have no option but to point to Him. That is exactly how God wants it.

As you approach these devotions, recognize how God remakes and uses the most unlikely to do the most amazing things. He will do the same thing in your life if you will allow Him. If you need to be recycled, repurposed, reconditioned or remodeled, God is just the One to accomplish that in you and work through you. Hold on because God is not finished with you yet.





