“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-7 NIV)

My friend nostalgically opened the leather crafting tools that she and her granddaughter had placed in a shadow box years before. Tenderly, she touched the worn wooden handles of tools that her husband’s great-grandfather Frederick had used to work. A history of his leather crafting wasn’t included with the tools, but we do know that God determined his arrival on this earth for a given time and place, for His purpose. God doesn’t give us gifts to elevate ourselves, but to bless others with them, to His honour and glory.

Our Lord, having all knowledge beforehand, knew that Frederick’s hand would press, guide, and trim the leather into useable products to serve the people that He had in mind. When God prepares the artisan, as though imprinted through his DNA, the artist knows the right pressure, in the right direction, to create a masterpiece, as he uses the tools created for each job. We might say that God guided Frederick’s hands, and that his tools survived to bless his family.

Even after we learned about Jesus Christ, salvation, or being born again into a new spiritual creation, many of us have thought that we were unusable by God. Have you ever thought that God cannot use you? Have you thought about how to discover the tools that God has given you to use in His service? Have you found your calling? Have you allowed God to sharpen and prepare your tools to be used for Him in the most effective way? This is your time. Pray and listen to what the Holy Spirit and Scripture will reveal to you. You will find — or renew — your purpose.

Prayer: Dear Father, thank You for the good news of the gospel. It is an honour and privilege to be ambassadors in Christ and to be tools in Your hand, to do specific work for You. We are amazed and humbled by Your encouragement to work for Your honour and glory. Amen.

Karen Milam
Penn Valley, California, USA

Reprinted with author’s permission from PresbyCan.