The Inherited Tool Box – Seeking Jesus from the Edges – Morning Devotions

Seeking Jesus From the Edges – Morning Devotions

The Inherited Tool Box –

Pastor Calvin Cook – July 17, 2024

Scripture focus – 1 Corinthians 7:17 – Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. (ESV)

When my Dad began to fail and needed to go into a nursing facility, my sister Christine and I began to divide up his belongings. One of the things I received was his tools. Some of the tools were generational tools and gadgets that were handed down from Grandpap to Dad. I have moved these tools along everywhere Gail and I have lived. They are now in my basement and I walk by and look at them often, though really only use them in the case of necessity.

These tools in the last 24 hrs have been on my mind. In a conversation yesterday, the topic of using the tools we have recirculated. Years ago I worked for a company that was having a difficult time with employees who were hired for key positions, who looked very qualified and possessed all of the abilities needed for the job, but just couldn’t do the job. I remember the CEO of the company saying – “we have people with the right tools, they just don’t know how to use them.”

Much of this stems from an ongoing conversation I have been having with an accountability partner about procrastination. Not doing what we should be doing for God, and slothfulness. Yesterday these conversations culminated with bringing me back to these thoughts about my Dad’s tools and the CEO’s comments.

The reasoning is that God has given us gifts to be used for the glory of God and the spreading of the Gospel to all people everywhere. Take a look at 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 “Now there are varieties of gifts, but “the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.”

The Apostle Paul goes on to discuss the gifts that are given for the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good (vs 7). May we not however loose sight of the words from verse 6 “empowers them all in everyone”.  Just as I received tools from my Dad I have to choose to use them, not just out of necessity but because of the empowerment I have received from the tools. The same is with the one who has all the tools to do the job but doesn’t. Whether it be because of procrastination, distractions, or self-centeredness that keeps us, holds us back or totally prevents us from experiencing God, this needs to change!

This morning if you are wondering why, you are feeling distant from God, unconnected, even maybe in despair, might be because you haven’t used one of the greatest gifts. The gift of Faith ! (1 Cor 12:9a) Or as Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount “give and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure, you use it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38). Even though these words come following directions of judging others as we would want to be judged. Does it not also present to us the re-enforcement that we are not using or utilizing all that God has done, is doing, or will do in this new day and the days and weeks ahead.

My dear friends, sisters and brothers and Christ we are uniquely and wonderfully created for the purpose of God. We have been given everything we need to get through. The time is now we start living like it. Live your faith, share Jesus, and hope in the best that is on its way through the glory and riches that is found in Jesus Christ the Lord.