Do it Yourself

I have always considered myself as a pretty big "do it yourself" type. I (try) to do my own yardwork, I do my own cleaning, Brent and I install or fix our own appliances, I assemble my own new furniture, etc. In my years of assembling/fixing/repairing/etc I have discovered the importance of having the right tools to use in the process.

Example: Today, I am assembling a new desk and rolling wooden file cabinet that belongs beneath it. Now, it is entirely possible and I am doing just fine with my old school screwdriver but as I pour sweat and elbow grease into this project, it keeps recurring in my mind how I wish I had a power drill with a magnetic tip so I could just stick the screws to the tip and drive them right into the wood.

Also, a few months ago I installed a new bolt lock on my front door. Living in a manufactured home, I am aware of the shortcuts the carpenters used in the process of making my home. One such frustrating shortcut is that my door frame isn't built for the regular bolt lock, it had a cheap one used only for trailers and manufactured homes installed. So, to put in a new one I had to carve out the appropriate amount of my door frame to get the one I bought at Lowes to fit. I did it with a flathead screwdriver and a hammer, chiseling a bit at a time until I had a rough fit. Would a jigsaw been a better tool? Absolutely.

The point that I'm getting at is that we can live our lives and do whatever it is that we need to do to accomplish that which God has in store for us. However, fulfilling your destiny and living to fullness is MUCH easier with the right tools. Surrounding yourselves with a church body, having friends to keep you accountable, and evenly-yoked spouse (someone walking the same walk, the same direction that you are - not just a Christian), proper environments, etc -- all these things are not required for fulfilling your destiny but let me assure you they will make it EASIER.

I think that is the point of the law in the Old Testament, and the guidelines in the New Testament for Christians. Now, following the death and ressurection of Christ, living according to these guidelines isn't a must-- its not a do or die necessity - but using the right tools, following the right lifestyle, will make fulfilling your destiny much easier. Its simple - if you want to be productive (and do what you were made to do) things like being drunk, sleeping around, etc, will only make being what you're made to be more difficult.

Its not that you can't use a regular screwdriver to put together that desk, it just will be harder and more time consuming that way.