Have you ever seen this commerical? Construction workers are preparing to tear down an old building, they keep the crowd back, machinery is making all kinds of noises. And then you see it a giant craine, is positioned into place, you realize they are going to use a wrecking ball to tear down the building. But, instead of a wrecking ball, there is a giant pink stuffed bunny. They take several swipes at the building, and cut to people saying things like: "That ain't going to work, or This may take awhile"
I don't even remember what they were trying to sell, something about having the Right Tool for the Job.
That got me thinking, (if you know me, then this is the part you start worrying) : God has given us certain "tools" for our walk here on this earth. My Pastor is going through a series of sermons on "Home Improvment Life Edition" We have been talking about the "Tools" we are given by God to do certain things. A few weeks ago he mentioned how we, as humans, sometimes try to use the wrong tool for the job at hand. That is when this commerical came to mind. How stupid to try and use a giant pink bunny rabbit to knock down a building. This really seems stupid, but it accomplishes a visual image I won't forget.
I have a sense of humor, I love talking to people, but I enjoy a good joke (clean only please). I take after my Mom, who took after her Dad..............Love people, love to laugh, love jokes, love to "Crack up" Then there is my Dad. Serious, dosen't get many jokes, unless you explain them to him, then maybe. Dosen't get out of his saftey zone very often. Really has to make himself talk to others, or socialize. My Dad, is an awsome preacher, though, he studies the scriptures like no one I have ever known. Anytime,(almost) one of us thinks of a scripture , maybe the "jest" of it, or the sorta version, all you have to so is ask Dad: "Where is that found, Dad" More the likely he will give you Book, Chapter, verse and quote it at about 500 miles an hour.
My Mom and Dad made a perfect Pastorial team. When they would visit with people in their home, or better yet, when they would invite others over, Mom was the "People Person" and also the fantastic cook, I might add. But she would get to know them, ask them about their children, their jobs their home, where they grew up,...................Mom loved people. Dad, dosen't hate people, but has a hard time doing those things. Making "Chit Chat', If you will. Mom had the right tools to get to know people, show her concern, pray for/with them, and love them like they have never been loved before. These were her best tools.
But Dad, he knew the word of God like nobody's business, he would pray the scriptures quote scriptures while, praying, He would know just what to say to people in situations that was from the Lord, His word and right for the occasion. Dad had great tools also, and knew how to use them. This is why people loved them so much, and they were effective. They each had their strengths (tools) that went so well with the other.
Now, let's get back to the Giant Pink Stuffed Rabbit. It was being used as a tool, but not the place it would be most effective. I'm thinking at the entrance to a Childrens hospital, or maybe at a Amusment park somewhere. But again this got me wondering, where was the wrecking ball that was supposed to be tearing the building down? Was it "serving" at the entrance to a Childrens Hospital? Was it at Six Flags in the Childrens rides part? I don't think any children facing a hospital stay would see a giant wrecking ball at the entrance, and feel better. Just as the Giant Pink Stuffed Bunny didn't do much good tearing down the old building.
We are all different, God gave us each different "tools" to use for Him. Some of us are very talanted artists, (There is a guy at our church who paints with colored chalks, while the praise and worship is going on, he just draws what he is feeling in the worship, this is his way of worshipping, it's awsome) Some of us are "People People" others are not. There are Morning people, and Night People, there are Coffee drinkers, and tea drinkers, people who love to exercise, and people like me who avoid it at all costs. But whatever you are, what ever you like, there is other people that don't know Jesus as a personal savior, who like the same things, and need someone like you to tell them. At the Coffee Shop, while running Early in the morning when they are awake, or late at night when they are awake, While driving motorcycles togather, while playing softball, watching football, playing board games................You see, we all have interests and we all have tools. It is so easy to talk to someone while you doing something you enjoy, and there is someone else there who is having a good time also.
I heard of a minister who loved roller coasters. He would travel as he had time and money to all the best, fastest, tallest, scariest, newest, weirdest, coasters just to be thrilled. One of these trips, led him to set next to a man, who like himself was a "coaster nut". They started up a conversation waiting in line, then went togather on the coaster, had lunch at the park, talked all afternoon, rode other rides togather..............exchanged email address' kept in touch and about 5 years later the minister led this other man to the Lord, and he is now serving as his assistant pastor. All because of loving Coasters. (Notice, this didn't happen overnight, it took time, investment, and love. The Pastor continued to keep in touch with his friend, they would meet at other Amusement parks and ride more coasters together, the Pastor did not pressure his friend to accept Jesus, he just lived Jesus, and loved his friend}
We, as humans, seem to drift to those who share the same intrest as us. These I consider our tools.
Figure out what your tools are, how you can enjoy them and talk to others with the same intrest. And remember somewhere there is a Giant Pink Stuffed Bunny Rabbit sitting where children can see and feel good about where they are and what they might be facing.
Until next time, Chris
