Everything in life, including life itself, requires maintenance. Things break down, and need repairing, sometimes small adjustments are sufficient, and at other times, total overhauls are needed, but deterioration, decay, depreciation, and maintenance are inevitable. My husband and I have a ‘go to’ statement when we discover something in our home, yard, barn, or something pertaining to our vehicles that needs to be tended to. We just chuckle, roll our eyes and say, “Oh, the joys of home ownership!” If you own a home, you know that it is no longer up to a landlord to get things fixed, but it is all on you. You are your own landlord, you are it! Your level of commitment to maintenance will be part of the determining factor in how large your projects are going to be. For instance, if you have a leak in your roof, and do not get it addressed, you will soon see damage starting to develop on the inside of your home which will mean more time and money than if you had not procrastinated on the roof repair. You get the picture.
With each repair that is needed, we have discovered that having the right tools for the job can certainly make life a lot easier, cause less headaches, and make the job much quicker. My husband has quite an ample collection of tools, since he has been in charge and been the ‘repairman’ not only for our houses, but for churches as well for the last forty years. ‘Chief cook and bottle washer’ as they say. However, during various moves things have gotten misplaced and at times, that tool he knows he had at one point, just cannot be located, yet he can often scratch around and find it or if not, he will go to the store and get another one exactly like it, because he knows exactly what he’s looking for, then of course we will probably find the old one the next day. It is crazy how that always happens. This can become an expensive venture, yet it is crucial to have the right tools. I can look at a tool, and not have a clue what it is for. In fact, if I know anything about tools or repairing things at all, it is from him. He never ceases to amaze me.
Often, I notice while watching him work, that he will pull out a strange looking gadget that I have never seen before, but he knows exactly what it is and what to do with it. It is quite common for each tool to have only one purpose. He will also know exactly when and where he bought each tool, and what project he was working on at the time. What a memory! Recently I discovered a tool in our garage that looked like it had a handle and then a long pointy piece of metal in the middle. What is it called you might ask? I have no idea, yet I learned that it is for fixing punctured tires, which is its specific purpose. I have also tried to use a wrench or a screwdriver end as a hammer in the past, and I must admit, they just do not work for that purpose, and do not have the same impact that the right tool, the hammer, has. So, I must concede that my husband is correct and makes perfect sense.
According to the dictionary, firstly, an impact is, to strike forcefully, to press together, to impinge or make contact especially forcefully, a forceful contact or onset. Therefore, as mentioned, a hammer would have the impact or force needed to drive a nail into wood that a plastic handle on a screwdriver would not have. I have heard my husband talk about an impact wrench. It is a tool powered by electricity or pneumatic air pressure. I am not sure if he has an impact wrench, but he does have quite a few power tools now. The invention of any type of tool is fascinating to me. I feel that I have missed the creative gene that many people have. The first power tool was invented in the year 1895, sixteen years after Thomas Edison discovered electricity, by C & E Fein. Power tools have evolved and made an enormous difference in home workshops as well as industrial businesses. They make the work lighter and faster and have had a significant impact physically and metaphorically speaking in the world. Secondly, the dictionary continues with its definition of ‘impact’ to mirror this. It states that impact can be a major effect that something has on something or someone. An impactful idea, concept or a study that can impact, affect, or cause change to environment, culture, society, and so forth. On an individual level, getting extremely good or shocking news can impact someone for a lifetime.
Scripture indicates that we are called and chosen by God, to and for various times and purposes. However, no matter what we are called and chosen to or for, it will have an impact on our lives and others forever. We see this in the life of Jesus. Hebrews 5:10 tells us that even Jesus was, “Called of God a high priest after the order of Melchisedec.” Romans gives us a few examples of callings, 1:1 says, “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God.” 1:7 says, “To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.” 2:17 states, “Behold, thou art called a Jew, and rest in the law, and maketh thy boast of God.” 8:28 tells us, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” In John 15:16 Jesus stated, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” 1 Peter 2:9tells us, the saints, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
We know that in the life of Jesus, he grew as a child and was subject to his earthly parents, he was learning the ways of humanity first hand. He was then prepared for his ministry spiritually, through his time of fasting and praying, in submitting his flesh to the will of the Spirit. Luke 2:51-52 says, “And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” Moses was called of God to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt. Acts 7:22 reflects, “And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was mighty in words and in deeds.” He was taken into Pharoah’s daughters’ home as a baby and did not come into his calling for eighty years.But he was being prepared and equipped for the job. He had to be humbled by God by tending sheep on the backside of a desert, because he thought he was somebody. He had to realize his total reliance upon God. Not only that, but God also knew in his foreknowledge, that Moses would be spending the remainder of his life in the desert. David was anointed king 15 years before he became king, and was called, chosen, and equipped in the pastures with the sheep as well. He learned to play the harp which ultimately got him a place in the palace, and he learned to use the sling shot, which afforded him, just a teenage boy a place in with the men of war, and he learned to hear the voice of God in those moments where there was no one else around. This allowed God to exalt David to the place he wanted him to be, while keeping him humble and in check when he was straying from his purpose.
We have been equipped for our calling as we see in Ephesians 6:11-17, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” And Philippians 2 tells us that we should have the same mind as Christ had, that of a humble servant, to see our calling fulfilled. We see the same trend throughout scripture. In 2 Timothy 3:14-17 we read, “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
Once upon a time, there was a little eight-year-old boy, who made an impact on his world. 2 Kings 22 and 23 tell us his story. He had been surrounded by evil his whole life, starting with his father, Amon, which lead to his death, and the coronation of the boy as King of Judah. The crown on his head was not what caused Josiah to be impactful, but it was his love and honor for God, whom he served to the best of his knowledge and ability and turn the people toward Him as well. However, there were still idols in the temple where those before him had corrupted and dishonored the temple and its holy vessels. After eighteen years of his reign as king went by and he was 26 years old, is where the biggest difference is seen. His heart had always been in the right place, but he just needed the right tool to complete the transformation and maintenance still needed. In Josiah’s quest to restore the temple, he sent a scribe Shaphan, to the high priest Hilkiah to make plans, who told him, that he had found the ‘book of the law’ in the house of the Lord.
When they brought it to the young king, and read it to him, he tore his clothes in humility and contrition. The Lord spoke to them and said he would destroy them because they had not obeyed the commands of the book, except for Josiah. God made a covenant with him in 2 Kings 22:18-20, “But to the king of Judah which sent you to enquire of the Lord, thus shall ye say to him, thus saith the Lord God of Israel, As touching the words which thou hast heard; Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, when thou heard what I spoke against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the Lord. Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again.” Josiah reigned thirteen more years and he got rid of everything vile, and reinstituted everything that was in the word of God that they had found, including the Passover. 2 Kings 23:25 testifies of Josiah, “And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the Lord with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him.” He was only thirty-nine years old when he died, but he made an impact on his world.
We must lay aside our excuses when we see the story of an eight year old boy fulfilling his calling against all odds and with no prior example. He had the word of God and a heart of humility. We see this thread connecting the stories of those in scripture who made an impact, and these are the same tools that we will need to equip ourselves to change our world. The Bible states that the Word of God is what will judge us on that day. John 12:47-48 says, “And if any man hears my words, and believes not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejects me, and receives not my words, hath one that judges him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” The word of the laws of God and the testimony of those who have gone before us will stand against us on the judgement day.
James 1:2-6 shows us part of the equipping process to bring us to the right frame of mind and heart to be used of God, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers’ temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraids not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.” Life, family, churches, emotions, spirits, our physical bodies, and our communities are constantly in need of maintenance, but with the right tools, we can get the job done, faster and more effectively, and we have the Power of the Holy Ghost to assist us in this delicate process. By maintaining our own hearts and attitudes and honing our skills, we can fulfill the calling upon our lives, no matter who we are or what the calling is. We may make a global impact or just a local one, but if the name of Jesus is being preached, it is a job well done.
Even though the young boy Josiah loved God with all his heart, he was not fully equipped until he had the right tools, the ‘Law of the Lord.’ This brought everything that he had missed in his own endeavors to light, so that he could complete the task that was before him. There are so many people who really do love God with all their hearts just as he did, but they have not come to know the ‘Law of the Lord’ like they need to, to be able to share the truth fully. Paul went forth preaching and establishing churches. On one such journey, he came across Priscilla and Aquilla who were tent makers as he was, and he stayed with them, taught them, they then travelled with him, and later the scripture states that they in turn helped equip a man named Apollos. Acts 18:24-28 tells us, “And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spoke and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.” Therefore, we see that Paul helped equip Priscilla and Aquila for their ministry, who in turn shewed Apollos the ‘Law of the Lord’ more clearly, thus equipping him for his work with the Jews.
God is not worried about us making a name for ourselves, but about us obeying His calling. He has chosen us to do a job for Him. Once we have had a calling, it will not be changed or retracted, therefore, the sooner we humble ourselves before him and surrender to his will, as Jesus had to do, we can begin being equipped and used of Him. What will your answer be? Romans 11:29 tells us, “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” He has called you; has chosen you; now he is just waiting for your response. Say yes and go out and impact your world today!