What can a pencil teach us about faith?

Opening:
Have you ever wondered how a pencil can teach us about faith? As a teacher in any capacity, I use pencils often. Although the world has advanced in technology since I began teaching, the pencil still holds its value. Teachers and students across the world use pencils to complete assignments, tasks, and more. 

Let's look at how the pencil also points us to faith. 

Scripture References: 
Eph. 2:10 (NLT) - "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."

1 John 1:9 (NIV) - "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

James 1:2-4 (NIV) - "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, a whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

2 Cor. 12:9 (NLT) - "Each time he said, 'My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.' So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me."

Devotion: 
We write with, erase with, sharpen, and sometimes break pencils. Believe it or not, these also point us to faith. 

1. Write - First, we must consider that a pencil (by itself) can't operate on its own. It must be held by someone to become useful. This is what God does in our lives. Our story was planned out from the beginning, and God wants to get us to that "expected end." I came to understand this as I drew near to Christ. I realized that God wanted to write the story He intended for me, but I needed to place my faith and trust in Him. As He unveiled His story for my life, He also included my struggles and caused me to overcome them and helped me to assist others with similar stories. 

Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we are God's "masterpiece." Some versions use the word "handiwork." I believe we are described this way because only God knew the great purpose He created us to complete. Therefore, He doesn't leave us in the same state so that we can do the good work He planned for us in the beginning. 

2. Erase - Next, the LORD erased my sin, my burdens, and took away the fears of my   past as I surrendered my heart to Him. 1 John 1:9 states we must confess our sins against our creator. Then, He is faithful to forgive us and purify us, setting us on a new journey towards Him. 

3. Sharpen - In addition, the LORD used my struggles to sharpen me, my inner man. James 1:2-4 records that we should consider it pure joy when we face trials. As our faith is tested, this produces perseverance in us. To persevere means to keep trying, to be determined no matter the obstacles. My struggles were many, and there was a time where I had given up, surrendering to the pain of it all, but God wouldn't leave me there. As I cried out to Him, He began to grow me and rescued me from drowning in my despair. This is what sharpening a pencil brings to mind. God is helping us to have the strength to "hang in there," to get up and keep going. 

4. Break - Finally, God didn't leave me in my broken state. Yes, like a broken pencil still being able to write, I was producing, moving and operating, but I wasn't in the state of my intended use. My broken state was a false identity until I came to Christ and He made me new, like an unsharpened pencil, fresh out the pack on the first day of school. 

In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul said that he boasted about his weaknesses so that the power of Christ could work through him. This is what I also learned to do. My strength isn't mine. It's His. I didn't restore myself. He did. Therefore, I like Paul, will continue to boast in my weaknesses and allow Christ's power to operate fully in me. 

Takeaway: 
I pray that you will take away a few things from this devotion. Pencils can teach us about faith. The LORD wants to reveal your true story to you, the one He wrote. He wants to erase your sin, burdens, and the fears from the past and present. He wants to sharpen your faith as you experience the trials of life, and He wants to make you new from the inside out. Please feel free to use the prayer below or write your own. 

Prayer: 
Lord, thank you for allowing me to learn about faith through the functions of a pencil. Thank you for creating me with YOUR purpose in mind. Thank you for not leaving me, nor forsaking me. Help me to surrender what you desire to erase from my life and where you desire to sharpen me. Help me to bring my broken places to you and to allow you to make me new. In Jesus' name, amen. 


Be Blessed, 
A Teacher's Faith
Denise M. Walker
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