There was a stay at home wife who kept trying to get her husband to get a good lawn mower. The husband was always so tired after a full day’s work that he kept putting it off. One day the wife who was fed up with the overgrown yard decided she’d try a new approach. She figured if she could make him feel guilty, he might get it done. So that evening after a long day of work, the husband pulls in the driveway to find his wife outside cutting the grass with a pair of scissors. He walks inside and comes right back out, then handing his wife a toothbrush he said, “don’t forget to sweep the porch when you’re finished.”
Of course this is humorous, but as crazy as it seems to visualize someone cutting a yard with scissors, there are many who aren’t taking advantage of the proper tools they have access to. Through God we’ve been given everything we need to live and to work for Him, yet sometimes we settle for our own methods. We use tools crafted by this world rather than tools from the creator of the universe. To put it this way seems so foolish, but it’s true. When a couple has marriage problems, they seek secular counsel, or a new spouse to better fit their needs. When someone struggles with identity, they try to find who they are through searching out what pleases them. When someone feels they’ve been wronged, they used the tool of retaliation. When someone needs freedom from addition, they try all types of tools, but they aren’t doing the trick. There are those who can’t get past a season of mourning because they’re stuck on the tool of anti-depressants.
Then there are others who use tools of persuasion and charisma combined with opinion to preach a message. Singers who use the tool of vocal ability alone to lead people into worship. Youth leaders who use only games and outings to train up warriors. These are examples of using scissors to mow the yard. There are powerful and effective tools ready and available to the believer.
Here’s the thing… we’ve got work to do. Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
The jobs have been assigned. You’ve been hired! You work for the greatest employer there is. You’ve been chosen to do the work angels could have been chosen for. To bring a message of hope To lead others to Christ. To heal broken hearts and homes. To be peacemakers. Some are to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelist, some pastors, some teachers, some encouragers, and the list goes on.
None of these things can be done without the tools that are required for the job. Using our abilities alone, without God’s power and provision is like digging a giant ditch with a spoon rather than a backhoe! You may see some results, but lack the power to really get the job done.
Here’s the great news! Whoever God calls, he also equips.
Well where are these tools? You most likely have one of them on your bookshelf, and you hopefully have the other in your very body. We have the power of the Holy Spirit and we have the Word of God. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. Acts 1:8 tells us that the Holy Spirit gives us power. So here we have the equipment, and the power to understand and use it!
It would be crazy to have a shelf full of top-of-the-line tools, and yet proceed with faulty and unproductive methods. So grab ahold of those tools that God has provided for you! Use the manual. Take advantage of the counselor on duty. Receive the instructions and do the work!
Hebrews 13:20-21
Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.