Devotionals

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Remember when you were a kid? I know for some of you that’s a very distant memory, but work with me here. Think back to special days of the year when you might receive gifts, like Christmas or birthdays. You spend the weeks before wondering what you’re going to get, and telling your parents what you want. Sometimes when that special day finally came, you actually got what you really wanted…a new bike, a new video game system, etc. But much of the time, at least for me, my expectations were so high I was often disappointed. “Socks…again? Jeans? Lovely…a new shirt.” As a kid, I always thought of those as necessities, not gifts. I had to wear clothes. I wanted stuff I didn’t need. I was a child.
Now, I’m an adult…at least my body makes me look like one. I got some new shirts for Father’s Day, and it suddenly struck me how much I appreciate them (and I’m sure the public appreciates that I’m not walking around naked). Sure, I still want bigger toys…Like a motorcycle, another gun or two. But I LOVE new socks! Jeans? Oh, yeah! New shirts? ALL RIGHT! What is it that’s changed in me? My experience? My attitude? My maturity? Some people may argue that last one (like my wife).
Likewise, in my spiritual life, I used to dream big. I was once convinced that God was going to use my voice to lead thousands to Christ. Who, knows…it may still happen. I would love it if it did. However…I am convinced more than ever that I am right where I should be, doing what I should be doing. God is using me. I am the minister in my home. Many of you fathers out there don’t understand how impotant that is. I still get to sing in church once in a while, and people tell me they are blessed. I’m not sure, though, that they understand how blessed I feel to be able to do that. I don’t feel like I’m giving a gift…I’m receiving a huge blessing. Here’s how I see it…I am a tool. I am a BROKEN tool. The Master Craftsman CHOOSES to use me anyway. What an honor that is! THAT is the gift I receive. It’s not what He’s using me to build, it’s that He’s chosen me for that specific job! It’s exactly where I want to be…in His hands…the hands of the Master. He is guiding my every move, using me to make something wonderful. Most of the time I don’t even understand what’s going on…does the chisel, the planer, or the sander know it’s being used to make a beautiful piece of furniture? No…but it does it’s job anyway. That’s the attitude I strive for…I just want the honor of being chosen for the project.
1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.

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