Tools of the trade—everyone has them.  Our Maintenance Team has lots of different tools because they do so many kinds of work, from electrical and plumbing to construction and painting.  The same can be said for our Kitchen Staff. They have tools and equipment to prep raw food and then to fry, bake, and boil foods according to the recipe to produce delicious and healthy meals. Guest Services, Case Managers, Life Coaches, the Finance, Development, and Human Resource Teams—all have specific tools from computer programs to resource materials to help them to safely and correctly perform their jobs. And we have tools at home—washing machines, lawn mowers, etc. Tools make our lives easier.  Tools help us to do a better job, produce a better product. In fact, if you don’t use the appropriate tool correctly, you can damage what you are attempting to fix, and possibly hurt yourself. For example, once (maybe more than once) I tried to use my shoe as a hammer to hang a picture, and ended up tearing my shoe. It would have been much better in the long run to have used the correct tool the first time!!

Tools are so important that the development of tools is included in our history lessons. The discovery of how to use a wheel was huge in mankind’s progress. As early as in the book of Genesis we learn about Tubal-Cain, the forger of all implements of bronze and iron. There are references to the plow, the axe, the hammer, and the saw in both the Old and New Testaments. In fact, Jesus was trained as a carpenter like his father, so we can safely assume that he used carpentry tools.

Hebrews 4:12 (NIV) speaks of the Bible itself as a tool as follows: “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” I also like how The Message translates this passage (Hebrew 4:12-13):  ^“God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God’s Word. We can’t get away from it—no matter what.”

And we know that “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). In these passages we see that the Bible acts as a tool to point us to Christ.  It convicts us of our sin and teaches us the right way to live before God.  Sure, you could substitute another “tool” for these purposes, but the result would not be as effective. In fact, it could be hazardous to your health.  This doesn’t mean that other tools might not be helpful in performing certain tasks, but the Bible is the most essential, life-giving tool we can use for living a godly life.

Most of us would not think twice about the necessity of using the correct tools of our trade. So why is it that we are so prone to turn to other sources for guidance—the television, internet, secular books and teachers, other people, our own hearts? Some of these tools may be acceptable for some purposes, but not for our spiritual health. As we seek to follow Christ, grow as disciples, and serve according to the gifts He has given us, let us be the best we can be by using all the tools available to us, most especially the Bible. I encourage you to not only read your Bible but also to study it, memorize it, and thoroughly absorb God’s Word into your very being.

Blessings,

Judy