The Tool Box

We have heard throughout our lives time and time again that in order to achieve success in life it takes the proper tools. However, lets shift from that word "success" and focus on the word IMPACT.

Notice in the picture Bryan's brand new tool box. It is stocked well with tools for what he is learning at A & P School here in Fairbanks, Alaska. The words, "Tool Box," have been on my mind lately and the significance they carry is quite weighty in our lives. I was getting my nails done tonight at a nearby salon and those words again were now right in front of me as the nail technician had a box labeled The Tool Box.

Each and every one of us has our own set of tools to manage life. The word again I am focusing on is not merely success but again IMPACT.

Impact - having a strong effect on someone or something;

the action of one object coming forcibly into contact with another

In the beginning of the the Bible, the book of Genesis reveals a major tool that each of us posesses inside and that is the power of the spoken word. How did God create? He spoke everything into existance! Consequently, we have the power to speak life or death over our lives. We are encouraged by defining FAITH as speaking things into existance as though they are. In addition, death and life are in the power of the tongue and we shall eat the words that pour forth from it whether it be for death or for life.

James 3:3-6, "We put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell."

We must guard our tongues! This comes with a spirit of self control, humility and Gods grace.

Proverbs 18:21,"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits."

James 1:26, "If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless."

Proverbs 12:18. "There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."

The power of the tongue is a major tool that delivers a huge impact not only on our pesonal life but the lives of all those around us.

Being relational is another mighty tool in the box of a follower of Christ. If we truly desire to be used to further the Kingdom of God, we must be willing to be genuinely transparent, unoffendable, always choosing love over our hurts and disappointments with others, and posessing compassion on strangers who we may not be able to ever relate too.

Jesus was relational. He was frustrated when the pharisees charged Him for performing miracles on the Sabaath or for eating with tax collectors and sinners. Jesus was not concerned with the traditions of man but rather moved with compassion and love for the people. He modeled intimacy as He prepared The Last Supper for He and his disciples, asking them to stay awake during the night with Him and pray In the Garden before He would be crucified, sharing with them the future, and encouraging them that in His departure there will be a Comforter, the Holy Spirit to strengthen them.

Jesus was described as a lover of others and a man of sorrows. He walked and taught the people as much as He could when He saw how they were following Him and gathering as sheep with no shepherd.

We must have this type of humble intimacy in our relationships that Jesus modeled for us in order to gain IMPACT for His Kingdom.

Life requires much refining on our charater and there are many tools God uses. Think of Him when He knitted you in the innermost being of your mothers womb. The Bible says we are fearfully and wonderfully made! He is a Master Craftsman.

Lastly, aside from Love, Unity must be one of the greatest! The mighty tool of Unity is unstoppable! Divided We Fall but United We Surely Stand.

Unity with Gods will for our lives takes agreement. In order to agree with Gods will and to fully operate in it you and I must agree with it, therefore coming into Unity with it. Being a wife and mother of five children I am keenly aware when there is disunity in our team. It births a load of stress giving residence to pride, confusion, anxiety, offense, fear, anger, and manipulation.

Time to put out the eviction notice! This is truly the best part because when we come together and face head on what is dividing us we build back our firm foundation and seal any cracks. We have to willingly put down our drawn swords and stop fighting one another but fight instead for UNITY.

It is always so rewarding to do this with our children. Disunity leaves us open for the enemy to divide and conquer us while Unity brings a strong and power packed punch to the schemes of our arch enemy, the devil who despises Gods will activated in our lives.

I recently shared a true story about a pastor and his wife who were vacationing on the beach with their small children. They had just set out their blankets, towels, umbrella, ice chest, and beach toys. Imagine the waves roaring and rolling in, the beautiful clear blue sky before them, and the sand now between their toes. Suddenly, the husband hears the Holy Spirit beckoning him to leave at once! He was not sure why but right then and there he had a choice whether he was going to unify with the Holy Spirits prompting or ignore it and justify it away. He chose to obey and immediatley told his wife and children to quickly gather up their things and leave with him at once. Now the wife and the children had the same choice. Will they blindly trust and unify by heeding the voice of authority or will they question, whine and complain. They chose to trust and remain in unison. They soon found out that shortly after they had left there was a shooting on the very beach near the spot they had been.

Disunity can be quite costly especially in the life of a Christ follower. When its time to move and move quickly together there is no time for those petty setbacks of offenses to blind you into making crucial misjudgements.

I remember being in downtown Mexico with Bryan, Joshua, and Grace who were both very young at the time. Bryan was holding Joshua and I was strolling Grace in one of those umbrella strollers through the bustling streets completely unaware of why Bryan kept telling me watch out, keep your eyes on grace, watch her. There were so many people everywhere. I was annoyed with Bryan that day and just blew him off. I remember men looking at grace while I was distracted at the pretty dresses and embroidered handkerchiefs in the shops along the streets. And then it dawned on me this is an easy environment for child abduction or traffiking and my disunity with Bryan blinded me in the moment which potentially could have been very very costly. It would not have taken much for that day to turn disastrous because of my foolish pride.

We are merely flesh and blood and of course we make mistakes, but our enemy NEVER fights fair. He is cunning and cruel. The bible describes him as a prowling roaring lion seeking whom he can devour. Therefore, we must labor daily towards guarding and protecting the UNITY inside our homes with our spouse, with our children and unity between siblings.

Have you focused on your life making an impact for Christ?

Do you have some key tools necessary to be impactful?

Is your heart divided or in unity with the will of God?

Remember, Godly order in your life is first God, second your Spouse, third your Children.

Be IMPACTFUL !

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