The Right Tools for the Job

Yesterday was a frustrating day. I enjoy learning how to do new things, but right then I was feeling inept and unequipped  for the tasks that were before me. As I dwelt on it (and my attitude began its expected downward loop), I compared it to learning a new vocabulary word when I was a kid, only to find out that the definition of the word I was looking up included three more words that I didn't comprehend.

Early this morning, I awoke to mull over yesterday's emotions and feel sorry for myself. I decided I really just need my Swiss Army knife.

My Swiss Army knife is no simple Swiss Army knife. It's a fancy one. It has a magnifying glass, scissors, Phillips screwdriver, regular screwdriver, pen, ruler, fingernail file, and a toothpick, among many others.¹ The truth is, I don't even know what half of the tools are, but at least I'm ready!


When I'm required to do a little out-of-the-box thinking, I would love to simply whip out my know-everything gadget and come up with strategic answers and creative solutions. Instead of getting frustrated, I could think, I have an app for that! and pull out one of my many problem-solving tricks.

I don't have that fancy of Swiss Army knife.

Instead, God brought me to something better (and also something real, which is always good): Scripture about the fruit of the Spirit. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" (Galatians 5: 22-23).

These are the tools that God wants me to use. If God could use Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, He can certainly equip me in this place where He's called me. With God, I don't need to have all the answers. He just asks me to be faithful and to have a willing heart; He'll take care of the rest.





¹Why, you ask, does a 40-year-old woman have a Swiss Army knife? I simply bought it as a souvenir while I was in Lucerne, Switzerland on a trip with my students.  It wasn't until much later that I realized how useful it really was.