The Tool Box

Have you ever determined that you were going to fix something yourself? I am not mechanical in any way and it would be a complete and utter lie to say I was. However, to say that I am stubborn is the complete and utter truth. My stove knob needed fixed.

I soon found the stove make and model and realized that I needed some special tools that did not include the small hammer and kitchen knife I used for every other “fix it” job I encountered. I opened the door of my husband’s shed… and the toolbox was calling my name! Everything I ever needed to fix anything I needed fixed was right there. Those tools had been there forever, but I really never knew I had them at my disposal. I took my newly discovered toolbox and headed for the kitchen. With printed instructions in one hand and my toolbox in another, I began my session.

Unfortunately, most of the tools were foreign to me. What good was that tool box going to be if I did not know what the tools were or how to use them? And laying the box next to me on the floor would not help.

After a short internet search, I found tool explanations and fixed that knob in ten minutes. I had the instructions and the tool box. Applying that knowledge with the tools I possessed solved the problem at hand.

That is like us, we are already “equipped” with all we need as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. We don’t have to go to special schools. We are all equipped to build the body of Christ, to work toward unity of the faith and of the knowledge. This knowledge means “an intense knowledge because of thorough participation in the object of that knowledge” (Strongs). In other words, not just a head knowledge of who Christ is, but a Heart knowledge of who He is to you.

Ephesians 4:11-15 “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head, Christ.” The Lord has given a “toolbox” but sometimes we don’t even know we have it..or how to access it, or we just ignore that we have everything we need! God has given us what we need to get through all the circumstances that swirl around us, and to help others as well.

“Fullness of Christ” means that Christ has filled us with all kinds of gifts and dwells and walks in it, the body. God was in his fullness and not simply a manifestation, Jesus was fully God and fully man.

Think of it this example: it is more than just being filled with food. We eat until we are “full” and two hours later we are eating again. You weren’t really full. THIS fullness means there is no room for anything else! God alone is enough to fill us. I love that.

Sometimes we don’t feel “full” of Christ, or totally immersed in Him. There are times when we don’t think that we can get through the hurts we are experiencing… and then God show up and provides what we need. When there are times we don’t feel Him, we still must believe what He taught was true. We must retrain our brain to rest in Him.

So get out that tool box and see what kind of tools the Father has equipped you with…see what tools need to be used. And remember how full you truly are.

Who knows, you might have the right tools to help someone fix the knobs on someone’s stove!!

Tammy Allgaier is a retired special education teacher, current author, blogger and radio announcer for WBVN. Most importantly, she is a grandmother to her beautiful granddaughter Norah. Oh yeah, and a wife to Alphonse of 40 years and the proud mom and mom-in-love to Austin and Brittany and Taylor and Brittany. And yes, you read that right, both sons married beautiful women named Brittany. Oscar, their Westie, keeps the empty nest not quite as empty. After all these years of marriage, a few books and paintings later, they started their own website at apenandbrush.com, where they share their creative designs, books and encouraging blog posts. She has also has maintained a blog over the last seven years, “Encouragement for Today” at www.yelobrd777.com She drinks too much coffee, loves to read and write constantly and loved Downton Abbey. Helicopter rides are now off the bucket list and on the as “often as possible” list, due to an early anniversary surprise from her husband. Give her an ocean side seat or her back porch, a sunrise or sunset, some CCM, a good book and she is content. Not to mention she loves jeep’n and a whole lot of Jesus. Tammy waited 25+ years to finish writing and publish a book that the Father had called her to write. “Peace in the Midst” Book 1 of the UNEXPECTED GIFT series was published November ’18 and “Seaside Change-A Novella w/Companion 30 Day Devotional and Discussion Guide” was published August ’19. “Take Heart” the second book in the UNEXPECTED GIFT Series is about to be published. Fear stopped her all those years. Tammy knows that “fear is opposite of faith” and will continue to write, encourage others and fall more and more in love with Jesus.