A special instrument

Most guys who grew up taking shop class, or who had a dad who handed them a flashlight while he worked on a project, probably learned something that stayed with them for life: tools matter.

The right tool makes the job easier. The best tool makes the work more enjoyable. A good tool saves time, reduces frustration, and—when you’re in the middle of a difficult job—can make all the difference.

I learned that firsthand.

I worked in the sign trade for more than 23 years, and there were plenty of times when I showed up to a job and realized I had forgotten a tool. Sometimes there was no choice but to jump in the truck, race to the hardware store, buy what I needed, and get back to the job.

And I'll admit it: I like saving a buck.

So I'd find the cheapest screwdriver I could and head back to the job site.

Then I'd put that screwdriver to work on some old screws that had been holding a well-made sign together for what seemed like centuries. I'd put some pressure on it, and almost immediately the tip would break, slip, or distort.

I hated that.

The problem wasn't the assignment. The problem was the instrument.

And that's what makes Paul's words to Timothy so powerful.

“So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.” — 2 Timothy 2:21

Notice what Paul says: “If anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable…”

It's almost as if Paul is telling Timothy—and us—to stop for a moment.

If you've ever had to come to a sudden stop on the road, you know how quickly everything changes. One moment you're moving forward, and the next moment you have to deal with something directly in front of you.

That's what we have to do with the dishonorable things in our lives.

Every one of us has something that needs attention. Attitudes. Habits. Pride. Anger. Compromise. Resentment. Secret struggles. Things we know aren't pleasing to God.

And we have a choice.

We can become intentional about dealing with those things, or we can ignore them and pretend they aren't there.

But ignoring the problem doesn't make the problem disappear.

There is a cost to refusing to purify ourselves.

It creates a blockage. A wall. Something that keeps us from becoming the men God is calling us to be.

Will God still use us?

Yes.

But that's not the point.

The question isn't simply, “Can God use me?”

The better question is, “Am I becoming the kind of instrument God can use for every good work?”

Paul says that the person who purifies himself will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work.

That word useful gets my attention.

As a man, I want to be useful.

I don't want to be the cheap tool that looks good in the toolbox but can't get the job done when the Master reaches for me.

I want to be ready.

I want my life to work when God puts an assignment in front of me.

And here's the encouraging part: throughout Scripture, we see a God who is incredibly patient, caring, gracious, and merciful toward us. He knows our weaknesses. He knows where we've failed. He knows every imperfection.

But His grace isn't an excuse to stay the same.

Grace doesn't give us permission to ignore the kinks. Grace gives us the power and opportunity to work them out.

There has to be intentionality on our part.

We have to let God deal with the things in us that don't belong there. We have to surrender our pride. Confess what needs to be confessed. Walk away from what needs to be abandoned. And allow the Master to shape us into something He can use.

Because think about what Paul is actually saying:

The Creator of the universe wants to use you.

The God who spoke everything into existence wants your life to become an instrument in His hands.

That's incredible.

So today, don't settle for being a dull, broken, or ineffective instrument.

Let God sharpen you.

Let Him clean you up.

Let Him remove what doesn't belong.

Let Him strengthen the places that have become weak.

Become that special instrument in the Master's hand.

He wants to use you.

And that alone should put some fire in us.

Paul closes this thought later in 2 Timothy with these words:

“But as for you, exercise self-control in everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” — 2 Timothy 4:5

Stay ready. Stay useful. Stay faithful.

The Master has work for you to do.