Untried Equipment

I thought I was prepared. Before leaving for Kelli’s this past weekend for a day of wedding planning, I had thrown the little key chain/tape measure given to all of us moms at church one Mother’s Day into my purse. Kelli and I planned to visit the reception site and look it over more carefully with an eye towards decorating, and I wanted to be ready to measure to our hearts’ content.

We spoke at length with the caterer on site, asking questions and going over details before we got down to the business of measuring. Feeling pretty pleased with myself for remembering to bring the needed equipment, I pulled out my little tape measure so we could go to work. As soon as Kelli saw what was in my hand, however, she giggled. And then the comments started flying.

“That’s what you brought? That’s your tape measure? Where did you get that? I could have brought a real one…” Feeling pretty silly with the caterer looking on, I tried to answer with a modicum of self respect, but with the first pull of the tape measure, any pretense of having it all together dissolved into laughter. My handy, dandy piece of equipment was just a couple of inches over a yardstick in length.

We measured one spot and then gave up. Even though I thought I was prepared when I left home, I wasn’t. Since I had never tried the tape measure before (or had forgotten if I did), it didn’t end up benefiting us much that day. If I’d been more familiar with it, I would’ve known what tasks it could handle and couldn’t handle. We found out that having a tool without being able to use it is not much help at all.

Sometimes not being able to use equipment has much more serious consequences than what Kelli and I experienced the other day. Thankfully, God has given us a piece of equipment that won’t fail us, that will help us handle all the situations that life throws at us. He’s given us His Word.

God’s Word tell us that “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) But if we don’t use it, if it just sits on a table or night stand or shelf unopened, it won’t end up benefiting us much at all. If we’re not familiar with its riches, we may give up at times when we could have been victorious.

Let’s not let the Word of God be a piece of untried equipment in our lives. Let’s not be caught unprepared…

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

*How can we become this kind of workman? Where are you reading or studying in the Word right now? Anyone memorizing?

*My photo

Comments

  1. Today I sit at the dining room table with God’s Word open before me. It serves as my compass as I try and navigate my words. It’s never far from me as I try and navigate my life!

    It’s taken me a great many years to recognizing its worth. I’m so thankful to have finally found my dependence therein.

    Great thoughts, Cheryl, and what a darling tape measurer (sp?). I know this is a busy season but one you’re well content to deal with. Such happiness!

    peace~elaine

  2. Oh bless your sweet heart. I love this because it sounds like something I’d do. I can just hear Jimmy say the same thing if I’d brought that tape measure for such an occasion. He’d have been right and I’d be left with nothing but a story, but it’s a funny one. Don’t you just love how God always has things pre-measured for us and all we have to do is follow HIs word. He’s so kind. Great story girly girl.

    Blessing!

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