Okay, so we all use tools in our life from one time to another. We use hammers to drive nails, saws to cut things, and screws to twist bolts into stuff. Tools are simply materialistic things that help us achieve goals. The correct dictionary definition is "anything used as a means of accomplishing a task or purpose."
So when you use a tool, it comes in handy most times. But when you FINISH the task, let's face it: you concentrate on the ending result, a birdhouse, a bench, some shelves. No one says "thanks, I used a hammer" when someone compliments on their birdhouse.
And, that's just the way things are. I'm not saying it's bad, not being thankful for the tools, because even though they're helpful, they shouldn't be the center of attention when they're used correctly. Are you following me?
You're probably thinking "Gosh, Carly! What's this have ANYTHING to do with today's reading? It said nothing of tools!" But, just be patient. I'll explain. If you haven't already, try and read today's chapters with the BIBLE READER widget to the left of this post, or at www.bible.com. It will help you understand what I'm saying, because this is pretty deep stuff (for once.) This blog will be here for a while, so take your time.
Alright, so there's these people called the Israelites, and they got in a big war/battle/thing with the Philistines. They prayed, and stayed true to God during the first half, so they won the battle. Then, they decided they needed to bring the ark of God to the battle to help them more or something.
Get this: once they brought it, they got all excited, like God was going to help them more or something. Turns out, thousands of Israelites died and the ark was stolen. And of course, when it was stolen, no one cared about the people that died, just the ark. This lady lost her husband in the war/battle/thing, and she was even pregnant with his son, but she named the kid some name that meant "God has departed from us, because the ark has been captured."
Samuel's caretaker, Eli, was unfortunate because his sons died in the war/battle/thing. His fell over and died! Not because they mentioned his sons died, but because the ark was captured.
Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe I'm mad, maybe I'm crazy. But I think that the Israelites were so obsessed in this ark thing, it's almost like they were worshipping it instead of God. They were doing fine without the ark, yet when it was brought... they lost the war/battle/thing.
I think the ark is still important a little, maybe like a symbol for God or something. But that's how a lot of things are these days. Everyone thinks if you go to church, you're a Christian. Or, if you don't go, you're a non-believer. People worship statues of Mary and crosses, and yes, they can help you be reminded about God and his love for us...
But will a statue or an ark save you from sin?
Statues, and going to church, and arks... they can definitely help you achieve things, just like tools. But in the end... having a relationship with Jesus is what's important. These "tools" can help you achieve a great relationship with Him... but knowing Jesus and loving Him is because YOU make the choice.
Just like with tools, YOU have to put forth the effort in the project. The tools can help you, but YOU have to make the birdhouse. YOU have to use things like church and prayer to help you learn about Jesus, and have a relationship. But Christianity is so GREAT that you don't have to use the tools so vigorously, like with other "religions."
Does that make sense? If you piece it all together... Jesus is like the birdhouse. Things like arks and church can help you achieve Him, but YOU have to put forth the initiative. God won't judge you based on how many times you went to church, or how much you prayed. He cares whether you love Him or not, and whether or not you tell others about Him.
Thank God that we have Him every single day. Use your "tools" wisely, but don't make them everything, like the Israelites.
Peace.
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