Thought for the Month – January 2012
When one creates a machine designed for a specific purpose, much like we do when we build racecars, a lot of thought gets put into each intricate detail. The common question during creation is simple: How can we design this machine to optimize each particular advantage? Whether it is weight savings, handling improvement or a power gain, we want no benefit left behind for others to have that we do not.
Anymore, most of us do not build our own cars or motors. We allow someone to do that for us. When we purchase the car or motor from them, we often take the time to ask them how each aspect of the item works best, and what we can do to be the absolute best with what we have been given. If they tell us that we would be a fool to put gasoline in an alcohol burning engine, we listen. If they tell us that reverse stagger is bad for our competitiveness, we don’t do it. (I suppose we could try, but that would seem like a waste of time.) They created it to work a certain way, they gave us tips on how to make it work, it would seem quite illogical not to follow their instructions.
If then man is able to give us quality instructions on how to use what he has created, how much more would God be able to give us instructions on how to maximize what He created...namely us? When we insist on going against the given instructions to do things our own way, why should we be surprised when it doesn’t work? If we fill our tanks (time) primarily with the wrong fuel (things that take the place of God) instead of the right fuel (God himself) then why wouldn’t our engines (lives) blow up or melt down? And how can we know what the right fuel is if we don’t consult the one who created the mechanism in the first place? It isn’t rocket science (or rocket fuel for that matter.)
You, my friend, were created with a purpose. Each intricate detail of you was formed and shaped to be used by God and for God with a reason behind it. But if you are unwilling to consult the designer, it may very well seem like not much of it makes sense. Go to Jesus. Ask Him how it all is supposed to work. Ask Him how to be the best with what you were given. Ask Him how to maximize each aspect of your life for His intended purpose. See if things don’t start to work a whole lot better using the right fuel. And hey, don’t forget about the instruction manual He gave us, we have some extra if you need one!
Colossians 1:15-23
15 The Son (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
