Best Hands

A hammer in the wrong hand is a dangerous thing! Many a good thumb has screamed out in pain by the misplaced whack of a hammer. I seem to never have access to a hammer when I need one. Mr. Bill locks all hammers in his tool cabinet. I want to believe it's because he's found too many good hammers lying around outside -- not returned to their proper place, but it may be because he's found too many nails in walls where no nail should ever be.

When God uses spiritual hammers on His children, many things are driven home! It's usually the spiritual "nails" that help us understand who we are and give way to Christ's purpose in our lives. Ephesians 2:22 says, "In Whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." Sometimes I just long for a brief peek at my life's blue print, but where would the faith be in that building project. Phillips Brooks writes, "Oh, if the stone can only have some vision of the temple of which it is to be a part forever, what patience must fill it as it feels the blows of the hammer, and knows that success for it is simply to let itself be wrought into what shape the Master wills." God doesn't provide us with a periscope to see above, beyond, and around life's troubles. What He does provide instead is faith and patience so that He can quietly and effectively build us into His design. Yes, the hammering get tough sometimes, but remember ... the hammer works best in the Best Hands!