Who knew those Christmas pencils we handed out to our fifth-graders could inspire so much! For the last three weeks, we’ve learned that to make a mark on the world effectively, wood and graphite must first undergo a process. Similarly, as we become surrendered pencils in God’s hand, He patiently crafts a delightful story.
Achieving the desired mark always depends on who holds the pencil. Whenever we feel we’re rolling away from God, our flat, secure sides, shaped by the Holy Spirit, stop us in our tracks. As life takes a toll and dulls us, He doesn’t mind sharpening us so we can regain our effectiveness.
Best of all, we can always turn our mistakes over to Jesus. He can and will erase them and flick away every lingering crumb. Knowing there’s an eraser gives us the confidence to keep writing.
Looking back at the opening chapter of our life’s story, we marvel at the overwhelming love given to us. As we approach our last chapter on earth, we anxiously anticipate a marvelous, never-ending one, eternally set in the presence of God. But what about these thick middle chapters of the story we find ourselves in? Some highlight the thrill of victory, while others bring the agony of defeat. Perhaps the pencil has one more lesson to teach.
Pencils are resilient. They can write on a variety of surfaces. Did you know that pencils can even write underwater? Scuba divers often use pencils and special slates to record information while working underwater. Pencils have a way of effectively adapting and persevering.
As a pencil in God’s hand, we can continue writing our story in a variety of circumstances. Isaiah 43:2 says, “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.” This sounds like a definite promise to me! No matter how deep the rivers Satan tries to drown us in, we can still keep writing because we know WE WILL NOT DROWN!
“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NLT) We are resilient!
To describe the depression I felt after my sweet mother’s passing several years ago, I compared it to falling through the ice on a frozen lake. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t find the hole I’d fallen through to climb back out. I felt trapped. Even then, I knew God would eventually pull me out, and He did. I only had to reach out and be patient. That experience sharpened my compassion for others who feel trapped. Since then, God has used that chapter of my life to erase painful memories and teach me many wonderful things. What felt like the agony of defeat has become the thrill of victory.
This Christmas, I have experienced a renewed love for that precious baby born for an honorable purpose – bringing mankind back to God. I have a deeper appreciation for the process Jesus endured to become the model for our stories. I am eternally grateful that He erased all my past sins and continues to erase the ones I keep making. How wonderful it is that “He delights in every detail of [our] lives. Though [we] stumble, [we] will never fall, for the Lord holds [us] by the hand.” (Psalm 37:23b-24 NLT)
This Christmas, my four oldest grandchildren will receive a set of Christmas pencils from me. Instead of their names, I had these words imprinted:
“You are MINE” – Isaiah 43:1.
I pray God continues to write a beautiful story with their lives. May we all remember not to be afraid, no matter what comes, because we have been called by name and, we are HIS. We are resilient forever!
Merry Christmas, friends! Thank you for traveling with me this year on Perfection Road.
