Use for intended purposes

Use for intended purposes

We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do his good works, which he prepared beforehand that we should do. Eph. 2:10

When I was teaching special education reading, one of my favorite lessons was having the students read instructions, disclaimers and cautions from products. There are some really brilliant disclaimers out there. One on a hair dryer says “Do not use while sleeping?” Powdered baby formula says “Be sure to add water before feeding”. Then of course there is the famous “Contents may be hot” in the coffee pots and coffee cups. A sign on an electric blender reminds users “Never remove food from blades while this product is operating.”

I was surprised at the admonitions on so many products “Use product only for its intended purpose.”  Regardless of the infomercials, you should not use the ginsu knife to cut through pipe. You should also not use a blender to grind concrete into powder, although it is done. Ephesians tells us that just like the ginsu knives, the baby formula and the blender we have an intended purpose.  We have been given gifts and talents, and for the best results, we should use them to glorify God.  We know of musicians who spent years playing in bars and night clubs, only to turn their talent to God after being saved.  Many of them say they are much more satisfied than when they were using their talents for themselves.  No matter what your talent, this proves to be true. How wonderful that God not only prepared works for you to do, but empowered you to do them.

We need to be willing to look for our gifts and find how we can use them for the kingdom.  We also must guard against the trap of saying we are not worthy for our works to be used. This book is a perfect example.  I wrote for years and argued with God that I was not worthy to use my writings for him. While I did not bury my “talent” in the ground, I did bury it in the backs of notebooks until God dealt with all of my reasons He could  not use it.  Use your gifts and nurture the gifts you see in  others.  The finished work will be beautiful. 

 As we live unseen, we are tempted to believe that we have no purpose. Do not fall for the lie.

LORD, Help us to see and live in our purpose today.

FEEDBACK: Do you know what your purpose in life is? How did you find out and what makes it hard for you to live up to it?