A Tool With Greater Purpose

“My companion is the biggest tool I’ve ever known!”

 

My overly loud laugh rang out with our congregation’s as we processed through this missionary’s double meaning, when he finished his thought, “He’s a tool in the Lord’s hands!” All of us listened as he shared the lessons he learned serving together with his companion.

 

A tool is a device, especially held in one hand, used to carry out a particular function.

 

I love this definition. I want to be a tool, like this missionary. I want to be used in God’s hands for a greater purpose. I don’t want my life to be average—I want to have a greater than average impact for good.

 

How can I become a tool in God’s hands? I have use now. I am, after all, a college graduate who is able to function in society. But how can I make myself of greater use?

 

My grandfather loved to work with his hands and had many tools that were specifically for one purpose and one purpose only. However, there were also tools that had multiple uses. These were the tools Grandpa kept close to hand when he was working. I want to be that kind of tool for the Lord. Someone He keeps close to hand when He is doing His work among men.

 

This means I need to make myself useful in multiple ways.

 

One of my eldest daughter’s dearest friends is a wonderful example of making oneself useful to the Lord. A few years ago, she wanted to learn sign language. So she did. There is a whole message in that sentence, “So she did.” I, too often, put off or make excuses for not doing the things I want to do!

 

She went online and searched out sites and videos to teach herself sign language. Eventually, she reached out to her community, looking for ways to use her basic knowledge and increase her abilities.

 

After a couple years, she developed an expertise in sign language. Because of her expertise, this young 17-year-old was asked to lead world dignitaries and national leaders through a tour of the Philadelphia Temple Open House this past summer.

 

She felt a desire to learn a new skill, acted on this desire, and when the opportunity came along for the Lord to use her skills, she was ready.

 

Think about the example of this young woman!

 

What dreams or ideas have you put off pursuing, thinking you have no time? Let’s be honest here, a bit less social media surfing and a bit more actively looking to increase our usefulness would benefit almost all of us! She thought of it, then DID it. What a wonderful example to all of us.

 

Will I become a better writer by reading? Yes, but only if I also WRITE.

 

Will I become a better person by reading the scriptures? Yes, but only if I also APPLY the lessons learned.

 

What inclinations could the Lord put to use if we first DO something about them?

 

I have a habit developed of necessity. You see, I have the worst memory. Ever. I forget everything, all the time. So I often text myself messages. When a thought crosses my mind, I  send myself a quick text.

 

This has become a useful habit in reminding myself to follow-up on inspiration. If I receive a passing thought (inspiration!) to help someone, I text myself, so I don’t forget to DO the action required. It’s not enough to have the thought.

 

Contrary to popular belief, “It’s the thought that counts.” It is not the thought that counts, it’s the action.

 

When I was a young, struggling mother of a brand new baby with a toddler, it wasn’t a woman’s thought of taking my toddler son for an afternoon that gave me much needed rest. It was her coming to my home and picking him up for the day.

 

Someone sharing, “Oh! I meant to bring by dinner, but I was so swamped!” Didn’t really do much for my family during a time of particular trial when any sign of comfort would have been deeply appreciated. Quit making excuses and start making plans.

 

When Joseph of Egypt prophesied, “And there shall rise up one mighty among them, who shall do much good, both in word and in deed, being an instrument in the hands of God, with exceeding faith, to work mighty wonders, and do that thing which is great in the sight of God …”

 

I want to be of that same mold. I, too, want to be an instrument in God’s hands for doing good “both in word and in deed.”

 

Your inclinations will not be the same as mine. That’s because there are lives the Lord needs to bless with your particular skill set and life experiences that I simply do not have. However, I think that each of us can do a better job at looking at what we can do now and do more with it.

 

I think we can pause and take into consideration those passing inclinations and decide if, with a little effort, we might make ourselves more useful to the Lord.