The workman who truly wants to excel in his craft understands the importance of his or her tools. Imagine for a moment walking into a shop filled with various tools for different jobs. Be it hammers, saws, or paintbrushes. If those tools aren’t properly cared for, if the blades aren’t sharp or the brushes aren’t clean, then the quality of work would fall flat. Nobody wants a hack job when a masterpiece is possible. Just imagine trying to paint a beautiful landscape with a brush that’s frayed and dirty. The outcome wouldn’t just be disappointing; it would be downright embarrassing! (Personally, I wouldn’t even look at that one!)
You see, if the iron used in a tool is dull and a worker neglects to sharpen its edge, he ends up exerting way more effort than necessary and dulling the blade even more. This is something that Solomon wisely pointed out in Ecclesiastes: a blunt tool requires more strength to get the job done, whereas having wisdom makes everything easier. Think about it. Would you tackle a big task with a dull tool when a sharp one would make life so much simpler? Of course not!
In our jobs, even the everyday tasks that often go unnoticed, having the right tools and the knowledge to use them effectively, is crucial. Picture a mechanic trying to fix a car engine without the proper training or tools. That engine won’t magically repair itself! Every profession has its standards, and that includes the requirement for training, practice, and maintenance of tools. To get good, it takes practice… daily practice.
The same principle applies to our daily lives. The importance of knowing how to care for ourselves is immense. Doctors, by their very nature, should understand not just what’s wrong with us when we’re sick but also how to heal and help us stay well in the first place. If a doctor doesn’t keep up with the latest knowledge about medicine, how can they provide us with the care we deserve? Just like a good workman, we must keep our tools of understanding and knowledge sharpened.
Solomon and the Apostle Paul offer us guidance in this area, emphasizing the importance of learning how to use what God has entrusted to us, primarily our faith. Romans 12:3 tells us that God gives each person a measure of faith. Think of it as your starter toolkit from Heaven. But what’s the point of having a toolkit if you don’t know how to use it? What really matters is how we decide to use that faith; how we incorporate it into our lives and make it work for us. Are we merely holding our faith or actively applying it to shape our paths?
When we invest time studying Scripture and nurturing our faith, we sharpen those tools. 2 Timothy 2:15 encourages us to study diligently, to show ourselves approved, as skilled workmen who know how to share the truth correctly. Just like any craftsman needs to regularly maintain their tools, we need to consistently cultivate our faith through prayer, reflection, and vigilance against the distractions or outright attacks the enemy may throw our way. Life is not without its dents, dings, or misalignment, and we must be ready to address them.
Consider again, for just a moment, the right tools for the right tasks. You’d never use a butter knife to carve into wood, would you? That would be a mess… and a frustrating one at that! Similarly, using a drill bit to butter a slice of bread? That’s not just impractical; it’s downright silly! God has provided us with specific tools for specific tasks, and we need to know when and how to use them.
Our bodies are described in 1 Corinthians 6:19 as the temple of the Holy Spirit. This means we need to treat them with respect and care because they are not just physical vessels but sacred spaces. If we disregard our well-being and allow harmful things to influence us, we risk winding up in trouble, perhaps even facing dire consequences. That’s not what God intended for us. We are called to be stewards of these bodies, just as a gardener tends to their garden to help it flourish.
Jesus shares something profound in John 14:12, saying that those who believe in Him will do the works He did, and even greater things. Isn’t that a stunning promise? But here’s the reality check: we can’t accomplish those amazing feats unless we first understand what they are and how to go about them. How do we discover this? By diving deep into God’s Word and learning about Jesus’ actions and teachings—grasping the tools He used: faith, hope, and love. Just as a musician must practice to master their instrument, we too must engage with the Scriptures and prayer to sharpen our spiritual tools.
What I’m trying to convey here, is the significance of equipping ourselves with all the tools at our disposal. Both the manifestations of the Holy Spirit and our faith. It’s as if God has laid out a full workshop for us; we just need to prepare our hearts and minds to get busy at His work. That means getting familiar with the stories, the teachings, and the wisdom that make up the foundation of our faith. We need to know where the screwdrivers are, how to navigate a blueprint, and when to apply each tool, whether it’s love, kindness, or a word of encouragement.
So often, life throws unexpected challenges our way, and those are the times we most need our tools to be sharp and ready. We are called to keep our spiritual toolkit well-oiled and prepared for use at all times while strengthening ourselves to stand firm against the wear and tear of daily life. Imagine being a workman who walks into the shop and finds all his tools rusty and unreliable. It’s not a great position to be in, is it? Likewise, when we neglect our faith and the gifts we’ve been given, we find ourselves ill-equipped to face life’s hurdles. That way, when the call comes, we won’t fumble but instead shine like the faithful workmen God envisioned us to be.
I truly hope this message resonates with you and brings you encouragement. Remember, every little action counts in the grand workshop of life. We each have roles to fulfill and work to accomplish, and it is our responsibility to be ready for it. So, keep your spirits bright and your lamps filled with oil, because the King is indeed coming! Let’s be ready, sharp, and able to do His work effectively when He calls upon us. After all, in God’s shop, there’s always something that needs doing, and we want to be right there, tools in hand, ready to make His glory shine through our lives!
And while you are sharpening your tools for God, remember to trim your wicks and pour oil in your lanterns because THE KING IS COMING!!!
image done by ai image generator with my description.