Don’t Be a Broken Appliance in God’s Cupboard
Posted:
Based on “iServe” by Pastor Dean Corns; 7/25-26/09, Message #DC129;
Daily Devotional #1 - “Don’t Be a Broken Appliance in God’s Cupboard”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. (James 2:26) I had my heart set on a luscious chocolate cake with whipped fudge frosting. I carefully measured the flour and sugar, added the cocoa and butter and eggs. When all the necessary items were assembled in the bowl, I pulled out my mixer. It was only a tiny hand mixer, not one of those big, fancy models that sit out on the counter for all to see, but it came with what it needed to get any small job like mixing up a cake done with ease. I plugged in the beaters and thrust them into the waiting concoction. When I flipped the switch, however, nothing happened. I pulled out the beaters and reinserted them. I unplugged the power cord and reinserted that as well. No change. Everything was there, but my mixer would not respond. Although it looked the same as usual, and had all its attachments clearly in place, it was inexplicably dead. I sadly ended up tossing that disappointing mixer in the trash and doing the best I could to prepare my cake by hand. It turned out alright, but not nearly as good as it could have been with the help of a trustworthy appliance. My old blender developed a distressing burning-electrical-parts smell not too long ago, as well. It was old and well used for more milkshakes and smoothies than I would like to count. I hated to part with that blender but further use appeared to be dangerous. I saved the pitcher and lid, and bought myself another blender of the same brand. Now I have two pitchers for the same machine, thus insuring twice the use out of the same machinery.
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): After bringing something home with a particular task in mind we expect to put that item to work, not just set it aside to gather dust. It is frustrating when your conveniences let you down. Items especially brought into the home for the betterment of the household, no matter how large or small the task, are worthless when for whatever reason, they refuse to work. It leaves us scrambling to keep things running smoothly and efficiently. Everyone feels the effects in some way when easy jobs become hard and require stop-gap, last minute methods to get accomplished. Cakes don’t get baked and smoothies don’t get made, because it’s too much trouble. And they don’t turn out as well without the right tool.
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): Have you ever imagined that we are all meant to be like appliances in God’s household? He has chosen and equipped each of us with the gifting we need to accomplish His purposes. Each one is important, but some people see themselves as only small, unimportant gadgets and would like to excuse themselves from action. While they might have all the equipment necessary to contribute to God’s household, they are not the big, fancy guy sitting out on the counter. They ignore their effectiveness to the task at hand and short circuit themselves, becoming useless. Others may have worked hard and long in the past at the tasks set before them until one day they look around at others who look newer, flashier, and more energetic. Before long they kick up a stink and stop working. They decide that serving God is too hard, and that they should leave God’s assignments for others to complete. Sadly, God then sets them aside and passes their gifts along to those who are faithfully whirring along, offering up one refreshing blessing after another. When it comes to appliances, my attitude is, if you don’t work, it’s a sign that you are dead. James seems to have the same attitude about non working Christians. Every person who chooses to stand aside and let someone else serve in their place leaves others to scramble to meet the needs of the body to the best of their sometimes overtaxed abilities. Much good gets left undone and things don’t turn out as well as they could. Contributing to the family of God is a fulfillment of our destinies and proof that our faith is living and genuine. Don’t be a broken appliance in God’s cupboard. Live faith is contributing faith. Start mixing up sweet things in the places God has thrust you. Do it all for God’s glory.
Cultivating (Additional Reading): Matthew 25:14-30
