“I’m just a tool.”
Jesus was a carpenter while He was a young man on earth. According to the dictionary, a carpenter is a worker who builds or repairs structures or their parts. How fitting for the occupation of Christ. He built and repaired wooden structures in His early years, and Christ still does that with us today.
Yep, we are all broken. Christ can repair us, make us new, and build us to be a strong assembly for Him.
In a carpenter’s toolbox, there are various tools to be used for specific tasks. Just like each tool in the toolbox has a precise duty, so do we.
The other day, while refinishing an old church pew, I noticed the screws that were attaching the hymnal shelf had a square opening. Not your ordinary Phillips or Flathead screw driver was needed for this mission, but a Square-Recess driver.
I glanced at it and thought to myself, “We probably don’t have one of those. I don’t think I’ve ever used that type of screwdriver in my lifetime.”
Low and behold, hanging ever so neatly on my husband’s tool rack was the exact type of screwdriver needed to accomplish this task.
God has given each of us spiritual gifts. Some folks may have talents that are quite visible and often used or seen by others, while many others have God-given-gifts that are subtle.
Whatever special talent God has bestowed upon you, use it. Use it to the glory of God. Appreciate the talents of others, and embrace yours.
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10
“I’m just a tool.”
Those are words that I’ve uttered numerous times when others have complimented me on an ability that God has given to me. It is not me who creates the journal entries, through everyday circumstances. It is God within me. (Thank y’all for your precious comments, and to God be all the glory. I’m truly humbled. I’m definitely not an eloquent writer, I just type what God lays upon my heart.)
You are a tool! Allow God to use you for His glory.
When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” Mark 6:2-3 (Jesus’ hometown folks knew of Him, but didn’t really know Him. I pray that you will truly know Christ and love Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.)
For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Romans 12:4-8
As I was about to type this journal entry, my dear lifelong school friend, Constance Ingram Mitchell, posted these words:
“Choose to be a tool for God representing what is good. Choose NOT to be a toy for the enemy representing evil and negativity.”
How fitting! Be a tool, not a toy. I love it!
Have a blessed day!
Love to you and yours,
Stephanie
Be a Tool, not a Toy.
