Being Used by the Master Carpenter
by PASTOR DICK RILEY
Rockford United Methodist Church
Once upon a time, some tools at a carpenter’s bench were having a conference. Someone complained that Mr. Hammer was making too much noise and ought to leave. “Well!” said Mr. Hammer. “If I have to leave, then Mr. Screwdriver should leave, too, because all he does is turn things around and around!”
“At least I try to go into some depth,” said Mr. Screwdriver. “On the other hand, Miss Plane is only concerned with superficial appearances.”
“Excuse me!” Miss Plane retorted. “I may be concerned with appearances, but at least I’m not like Sister Ruler who is always making judgments—as if she were the only one who is right, or like Brother Sandpaper who is always so rough and can rub you the wrong way!”
As the discussion grew more and more heated, the Carpenter from Nazareth walked in. Putting on his apron, He went to work making a pulpit from which God’s Word could be shared. He used the hammer, the screwdriver, the plane, the ruler, and the sandpaper. And under His guidance and authority, the tools began to turn very rough pieces of wood into a most beautiful work.
When everything was done, Mr. Saw remarked, “Friends, I see that we are all made perfect in the hands of the Carpenter.” And, humbly, everyone agreed.
Or, as the Apostle Paul shared, “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.” (I Corinthians 12:4-6)
Question: Are you letting the Master Carpenter use you and your gifts? I encourage you to go to a church of your choice this week, and see how our Lord can use you!
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