The Right Tool

For the past 4 weeks I’ve embarked on the most ambitious motorcycle maintenance/repair that I’ve ever dared attempt. I’ll spare you the details and the insider jargon but the lessons that I’ve relearned are worth sharing.

When I was kid my dad passed on to me and now I to you, that 50% of doing any type of home or auto repair well is about having the right tools. The other 50% is knowing how to use the tool right.

The right tool, used rightly. I don’t know if the percentage break down is exactly 50/50 but anecdotally I have experienced the truth, that doing anything well requires the tools and knowledge to use the tool in the right way. Now I confess that I have used tools improperly – I have used flashlights, shoes and screwdrivers as hammers, and who among us haven’t been creative in the use of duct tape in a pinch. But, I do know that having the right tool and using it rightly can and will make the job easier, and better.

I’m challenged then to evaluate the tools that I’m using in my spiritual life, to grow deeper roots, and become a stronger and more faithful follower of Christ.
Tool #1 – The Holy Spirit – without the guidance, teaching, and revelation of the Holy Spirit I have no hope of growth.

Tool #2 – the bible – its revelation of God, His commands, His desires, His heart – I cannot follow nor pursue that which I cannot recognize. With out the bible I’d be on an eternal snipe hunt.

Tool #3 – the church – theology is not hashed out in private and seclusion – heresy comes to light in the context of others. Truth is found and understood with the help of others. Life change is the result of the Holy Spirit prompting, biblical understanding and a community of support and accountability. With out the church we cannot become who God is shaping us to be.

I know far too many who use a pod cast as a substitution for church, and who use blogs as a substitution for the bible and personal intuition for a substitute for the Holy Spirit. We must be people who use the right tools and use them rightly.

Duct tape is great, but I don’t want my surgeon using it instead of sutures.