Equipped

By Pastor Paul Gauche

Today’s Word: ‘Equipped’ as in… Christ in us reminds us that we’re always equipped to do what God calls us to do!

Think about three things that you do really well. How did you learn those things? Who inspired that? Who helped you along the way? Do you know others who know or can do the same things?

Find a toolbox in your garage or ask a neighbor if you can explore their tool collection. Find several common tools like a wrench, a screwdriver or a tape measure. Take them out and set them aside.

Now look for some tools that are less common, like an oil filter wrench or a wire stripper or even a sheet rock saw. Now look at each tool. Notice how each one is made for a particular purpose. You cannot use an oil filter wrench to tighten a bolt. You cannot use a screwdriver to measure the length of a board.

(Note: It’s generally not a good idea to use a butter knife as a screwdriver, although most of us have tried it more than once…)

You can’t use a sheet rock saw to strip a wire. Let’s look at 1 Corinthians 12:4-11:

“God’s various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! The variety is wonderful: wise counsel, clear understanding, simple trust, healing the sick, miraculous acts, proclamation, distinguishing between spirits, tongues, interpretation of tongues. All these gifts have a common origin, but are handed out one by one by the one Spirit of God.”

You’re equipped! You’re wise! You’re trustworthy! You’re faithful! You’re a healer! You’re discerning! You’re Spirit-led! You’re Spirit-filled! Thank God for the tools you have been equipped with to bless the world!

#100days50words

Paul Gauche is the Pastor of Life Transitions at Prince of Peace. His posts are part of his #100days50works project, where be blogs about a different word each day. You can follow his project on Instagram (@pgauche), or on his blog, Thriving Rhythms.