How many times have you heard that having the right tool for the job can make all the difference. One time I had to tighten a Phillips head screw and only had a flathead screwdriver. It can be done carefully, but man, a Phillips head screwdriver sure makes it easier.
I recently purchased a new weed eater for the Camp. It is top-of-the-line and I got an optional attachment — a grass blade. It looks like a saw blade and, oh my gosh… I can’t even believe how easily and quickly it cuts through tall grass without even a tangle or blowing all kinds of grass shards all over me. What took a hour before with conventional string now take 1/4 of the time. I looked at Jake and said, “Can you even believe that we did it the other way before? How did I not know to buy this 5 years ago?”
This afternoon, I had two guys come to give an estimate about grinding down some stumps that we had around the camp. 22 stumps. They rolled up and after walking around, gave me a very reasonable quote. I asked them when they would be able to schedule me in and they said, well, if you want, right now. We have the grinder hooked up and ready to go. Two hours later, all the stumps were ground down to below the ground level. All I have to do now is remove the mulch and plant some grass over them. The machine they had was impressive – it chewed through wood and dirt like nothing. I think of how much time I had spent cutting a coupe of the stumps down to the ground level with the chainsaw and watched as this machine would do in 4 minutes what took me 15-20 minutes… and it didn’t break a sweat like I did!
It’s funny when you discover that there are tools out there that you didn’t even know existed, and when you get one you wonder how you got on without it or why anyone would ever not have it. And so it is with our lives of faith. There are tools that we can use to study the Word; to help disciple others; to deal with lies and bitterness; tools to help us with mind renewal and even physical issues!
I remember the first time I had a “theophostic breakthrough.” Theophostic ministry is a tool that takes you back to a memory where a lie was implanted. You feel the memory and see it again, and then the facilitator asks Jesus to come and speak to you in that moment. And so many times, He does indeed show up and speaks truth. Once He speaks and that lie is replaced with His truth, it brings healing. Sometimes it is suddenly, and other times it is a gradual but noticeable change. This tool has helped set so many people free from lie-based thinking and has encouraged and brought hope to situations that seemed destined for death. For me, there were many moments from the past where I had felt “less than” and had been mocked and bullied; thus there were a lot of lies attached to those memories. When Jesus came in a spoke truth over those lies, I can tell you this, I no longer look at myself the way I did 15 years ago in those areas. The lie I believed about my value and self-worth has been replaced with the truth about how Jesus sees me. It brought such release of joy and freedom. I never knew that such a tool existed, but now that I know it, I am grateful that I was able to experience such a valuable thing that forever changed me. I know that Jesus loves to see His children walking in truth (3 John 4).
Having the right tool can change your productivity, energy level, and the way you work. Finding and using tools that can bring you renewal and freedom… well that’s even better!