“For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Calling someone a tool is an insult. (Apparently it has been since the 1660s.) But I think being a tool, more literally, can be a good thing, depending entirely on who is wielding the tool. A hammer on a shelf is just a lump of metal accomplishing nothing. A hammer in a toddler’s hand can really only cause destruction and injury. A hammer in the hand of a master carpenter however can end up creating some beautiful masterpieces that improve the lives of those for whom they were created. According to today’s verse, God has a good purpose for my life. He wants to turn it into a beautiful masterpiece that improves the lives of everyone I encounter. In this case I want to be a tool. Without God, I’m just a hammer sitting on a shelf gathering dust, at best. At worst, if I allow culture to wield me like an ignorant toddler, I end up causing more harm and destruction than good. I want to be a tool wielded by God.

Dear God,

Thank you for working in me toward a good purpose. Thank you for giving me the passion to do your will and the energy and skill I need to do it. Forgive me for allowing anyone else to manipulate me. And forgive me for doing nothing at all. Reveal your will for me today and let me be a tool in your loving, capable hand.