There are many things in this world that we can take a spiritual lesson from. In fact, I know a few people that can take just about anything and put a spiritual spin on it. Things from animals to a deck of cards. It’s always fascinated me. One that you might not think of though is a pencil. I learned about this one from my father-in-law. How can a Christian be like a pencil? Allow me to demonstrate.
First off, we can know that both were created. Moreover, we were created with a purpose. No one would ever look at a pencil and say it just came about through random chance. Logically, it had to have been created by someone. The pencil’s function is to allow us to make letters and symbols in order to communicate with the world around us. Like it, we didn’t just come about. We had a Designer that created us with the purpose of carrying out his work. To tell others about Him in good works (Matthew 5:16; Ephesians 2:10). We are to love God and love people (Mark 12:30-31).
Secondly, without someone using and guiding the pencil, it does nothing. It would just lay on the table. This reminds me of what Jesus said in John 15:5. We are to bear good fruit for God, but without Him, we cannot do anything. He is the source of all that is good and we are to imitate that on Earth (cf. Matthew 6:10). We must be guided by the Holy Spirit in order to navigate through the obstacles in this world. When we do things our own way, it only leads to disaster (Proverbs 14:12; Isaiah 48:17). God is the one who has the true path in this life.
The third thing we have in common is that whenever you look at a pencil, it has the marking of the owner on it. Either the owner’s name or the company that made it. We too, ought to bear the name of our Savior. That is why we wear the name “Christian”. The name actually means to be Christ-like and “belonging to Christ”. Followers of Christ have been sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13) in order to say that He is our guide and we will follow Him wherever He goes. He can’t lead you though unless you’re willing to follow.
Fourth, when does a pencil perform at its best? When it’s been sharpened. Like the pencil, we are able to give God our best when we’re sharpened or mature. When we know what God’s will is, we are less likely to yield to temptation and fall into sin. The only way to know God’s will is to read God’s word. This doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a lifelong journey. I’m sure if the pencil could feel pain being sharpened, it would. It might be hard at times but we have to fight through it. Trust in God and endure this life because God is faithful (Matthew 10:22; 2 Timothy 2:12). You will be rewarded in the afterlife.
Next, there is the eraser. If you were like a lot of people that simply used their eraser too much to where you didn’t have one anymore, typically your pencil had a pink eraser at the top. We all know what an eraser does. It can remove a mistake you’ve made in writing. God has provided His “eraser” too. It’s the blood of His Son, Jesus. It’s so powerful, that it can remove any sin you’ve committed in the past. When we’re washed in His blood at baptism (Acts 2:38; 1 John 5:8), He blots out all of our iniquities (Acts 3:19) and provides us with a clean slate for which to serve Him. After our conversion, the blood still flows within us and is accessible anytime we may stumble. God’s grace covers us and we’re able to be forgiven upon request.
Now, some of you may remember from school that some of those little erasers didn’t work very well. Sometimes they left behind a faded impression of writing. That may be true with Christians too. Sometimes our past sins have left a bad impression and it might take a longer time to get over that hill in life. That is only speaking from a human perspective and we may need the church’s help in our journey. We’re all in this together. From God’s perspective though, He remembers them no more (cf. Hebrews 10:17).
And finally, we can see that pencils are limited. They can only be sharpened so far before there is no longer use for them. Same with our lives. One day, we will take our last breath on this Earth. The dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7). We still eagerly await the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus. The only question is: are you ready for Him, come the Day of Judgment? Have you been washed in the blood of the Lamb? If not, we learn from the apostle Simon Peter on what we must do in order to prepare for that day (Acts 2:38).
I pray this might have been beneficial to you. The next time you look at a pencil, make this application. Remember who you are and why you’re here. God bless.
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