Not Perfect but Useful

In my Bible study were the questions, “Where were you the last time God spoke to you? What did He say?” The questions came with a message about finding a worship place where God can speak to you. I think I have one of those odd relationships with God because I was in Home Depot looking at bathroom fixtures when God spoke to me. Seriously!

I’m remodeling my bathroom and went in search of the perfect bathroom mirrors. I’d find one I like and there would only be one. I need two. I’d find two but didn’t really like them. You know how it goes. All over town I went; looking, looking, and more looking.

I finally ended up at Home Depot. I should have started there. But maybe God had to get me just frustrated enough to listen to Him. It was there I felt God saying, “They don’t have to be perfect. They just have to be useful. You know, kind of like you.”

I’m not perfect. I sin. Shhhhh, don’t tell. Although I think if you know me you know that this is no big secret. I’m just forgiven by Jesus. He wants me to be useful. He’ll take me not perfect.  He just wants me handy to do His will.

With this in mind, I found the mirrors right away. They are a good size and will fit in the space. I wasn’t looking for size before. They are easy to hang. I wasn’t looking for that feature before either. They reflect an image. I know all mirrors are supposed to do that but maybe you can see where I’m going. When I stopped striving for perfection and looked for usefulness I found what I was looking for. And, I must admit, they are perfect.

So often I strive to be perfect before God. I work so much on what I’m trying to be that I’m not any use. I’m concentrating on myself instead of what God want me to do. Now I realize that when I quit trying to be perfect and just try to be useful I’m perfectly ready for God’s use. And to be used by God what, when, how, and where He wants will be quite perfect.

Paul reminded Timothy of this. God spoke to him through household items too. He said in II Timothy 2:20-21:

                In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are only used for special occasions (perfect but not useful), and the cheap ones are for everyday use (not perfect but very useful) . But if a child of God presents himself as forgiven, he will be a perfect utensil, useful to The Master God for any work He wants. (perfect and useful). (*As always the in quotations are my comments.)

 OK, I had my worship time in Home Depot. That’s where God showed me that being ready to be used by God for His will is better than working up perfection and never quite making it to be used.

Not perfect but useful

He’ll make me perfect for His use.