One of my son's is preparing to go to a technical college next year. He is only 16, but our state has a program that allows High School students to attend classes in specific fields as a way to give them a leg up on a career when they graduate. He wants to be a carpenter and build things. Their carpentry program will teach him skills in that area. Over the course of a semester, they will actually build a complete house. It's pretty cool.
They provide almost every thing he needs to get the job done, with the exception of a few basic tools. Like a tool belt, hammer, screw driver, speed square, etc.
We went to an open house where the instructor explained the specific tools they would need. In other words, not just any hammer would do. He needed a specific one with a certain type of head, and that weighed a certain amount. Not just any tape measure would work, but he needed a certain type that had specific markings and was of a certain length.
It was very important, he explained, to have the right tool for the job. You might be able to still do the job without the right tool, but it would be far easier on you if had the right tools to begin with.
For a while, when the alarm went off, I did what most people do. I got up, took a shower, got dressed, and went to work. I spent most of the day doing what I was told, and then I would go home tired. I would make sure my family was fed, and maybe do a few chores, then I would pile into the bed and watch a little TV before going to sleep. Rinse, repeat, start it all over again the next morning.
But then I started doing something that has really changed my life. I started getting up about 30 minutes earlier. My Husband deals with the kids in the morning, so that freed me up to do a short Bible Study. Nothing complicated and lengthy. Something that took about 10 minutes to read. That's all.
What a difference in life that has made.
Now please understand, reading the Bible did not mean I could skip out on the normal things that happen in life. I work in a call center for the Hyatt hotel chain. None of those customers treated me any nicer after I started my Bible study. The mailbox still fills up with bills each month, and requires me to figure out how to pay them. I was told by the doctor just the other day that I will likely require surgery to remove a parathyroid gland. My Bible study did not make that go away.
But what did happen, was as I began to face my normal daily life challenges, I started having the correct tools to deal with them. Scriptures that I had read, would pop into my my mind, and allow me the ability to deal with my situations better.
Having the right tool in the toolbox, makes all the difference.
“Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.”
Joshua 1:8 NLT
Daddy God, we come today with a renewed commitment to ever be mindful of your word. We thank you for giving us the tools we need to face whatever the world throws our way. We ask that as we study your word, that you give us revelation on how to use that word in our lives. We know you are providing wisdom, so that we may pursue more of you and make a better life for our future. So God, as life throws things at us, we are strengthened by your word, and have the confidence to know you are on our side working on our behalf. I also ask that your healing power continue to heal and restore those bodies and minds that are hurting. We long to dwell in your presence and hear and act on your word. We love and adore your holy name. We give you all the praise and glory in you holy name. Amen!!
