Are You a Pencil for Christ? (Expanded Version)

Man a Pencil: A Subject for Christ.

 

Are You a Pencil for Christ?(Expanded version)
 
There is a CEO of a pencil-producing company. One day, after the pencils had been produced and were about to be sent out to the market, he called all the pencils together and began to speak.
 
He said: "Listen, my products, my pencils. As you are going out into the world, fulfil your purpose. Be useful. And for this to become a reality, here are my five little pieces of advice that ought to be adhered to and never compromised.
 
1. For you to be a better pencil, you will go through a painful sharpening before you can be used. The painful sharpening can be done by a pencil sharpener, cutlasses, blades, chisels, and so on.
 
2. The most important part of you is that which is on your inside. The graphite material in you, the middle part, is the important thing in you.
 
3. For you to be a better pencil, you have to allow yourself to be used by someone. Users can range from children to adults, carpenters, engineers, and so on.
 
4. You should be able to leave a mark on every surface that you walk on or tread upon, to be a better pencil. These surfaces could be plastics, metals, papers, woods, fibres, and so on.
 
5. Never be afraid to make a mistake. For that reason, you have an eraser on your head to correct all the mistakes that you might make. An eraser (rubber) should be able to clean a pencil mark, unless that mark wasn't made by a pencil." 
 
Reflection: The Pencil as a Subject for Christ
 
Introduction
 
This simple parable of the pencil carries profound truths about the Christian life. Just as a CEO commissions his pencils before sending them into the world, our Heavenly Father commissions us before sending us into the world. Let us examine each piece of advice in the light of Scripture. 
 
1. The Painful Sharpening"For you to be a better pencil, you will go through a painful sharpening before you can be used." 
Biblical Reflection:
 
The sharpening process is painful. Wood is shaved away. The pencil becomes smaller. But without sharpening, the pencil cannot write.
 
This is the work of sanctification in our lives. God allows trials, hardships, and discipline to shape us and make us useful for His Kingdom."No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.", Hebrews 12:11 (NIV)‌"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.", James 1:2-3 (NIV) 
The sharpening tools may differ, a sharpener, a blade, a chisel, just as God uses different instruments to shape us: a difficult boss, a financial hardship, a health challenge, a broken relationship. But the purpose is always the same: to make us sharper, more effective, and ready for use.
 
Application:
 
Do not despise your trials. Do not run from the sharpening. God is not punishing you; He is preparing you. A sharpened pencil may lose some wood, but it gains purpose. You may lose some comfort, but you gain usefulness in God's hand. 
 
2. The Importance of the Inside"The most important part of you is that which is on your inside. The graphite material in you, the middle part, is the important thing in you." 
Biblical Reflection:
 
A pencil may look beautiful on the outside, painted, polished, decorated. But if the graphite inside is broken or missing, the pencil is useless. What matters is not the outward appearance but the inner substance."But the LORD said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.'", 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)‌"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.", 2 Corinthians 4:16 (NIV) 
The graphite represents the Holy Spirit within us and the character of Christ being formed in us. It is the inner life, our faith, our integrity, our love for God and others, that gives us value.
 
Application:
 
Do not spend all your energy on the outside, your appearance, your possessions, your reputation. Invest in your inner life. Pray. Study the Word. Cultivate a heart that pleases God. When the outside is stripped away, what remains is what truly matters."Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.", Psalm 51:10 (NIV) 
 
3. Willingness to Be Used"For you to be a better pencil, you have to allow yourself to be used by someone." 
Biblical Reflection:
 
A pencil that refuses to be held is useless. It may sit on a shelf, admired for its beauty, but it fulfils no purpose. It is only when the pencil surrenders itself to the hand of the user that it becomes valuable.
 
We must surrender ourselves to the Master's hand. God desires to use us, but He will not force us. We must yield."But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.", 2 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV)‌"If anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonourable, he will be a vessel for honourable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.", 2 Timothy 2:21 (ESV)‌"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.", Galatians 2:20 (NIV) 
The users may range from children to adults, from carpenters to engineers. In the same way, God uses us in different ways, in different seasons, and for different people. Sometimes He uses us to write a simple note of encouragement to a child. Sometimes He uses us to draft a significant document for a nation. Every use matters.
 
Application:
 
Surrender your will to God. Say to Him, "Lord, use me as You please." Do not resist His hand. Do not complain about the task. A pencil in the hand of a skilled writer produces beautiful things. A life surrendered to God produces eternal fruit. 
 
4. Leaving a Mark"You should be able to leave a mark on every surface that you walk on or tread upon, to be a better pencil." 
Biblical Reflection:
 
A pencil is made to write. It is made to leave a mark. If a pencil moves across a page and leaves nothing behind, something is wrong.
 
As believers, we are called to leave a mark on the world. Not a mark of destruction, but a mark of love, grace, and truth. Wherever God places us, in our families, workplaces, communities, and nations, we are to make a difference."You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.", Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)‌"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.", Colossians 3:23 (NIV)‌"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving surfaces thanks to God the Father through him.", Colossians 3:17 (NIV) 
The surfaces may differ, plastics, metals, papers, woods, fibres. Some are smooth and easy. Others are rough and resistant. But a good pencil finds a way to write on every surface it is called to touch. Likewise, God calls us to be faithful in every environment, whether receptive or hostile.
 
Application:
 
Wherever you are, leave a mark. In your home, leave a mark of love. In your workplace, leave a mark of excellence and integrity. In your community, leave a mark of service. In your church, leave a mark of devotion. Do not pass through life without making a difference."Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ.", Philippians 1:27 (ESV) 
 
5. The Eraser of Grace"Never be afraid to make a mistake. For that reason, you have an eraser on your head to correct all the mistakes that you might make. An eraser should be able to clean a pencil mark, unless that mark wasn't made by a pencil." 
Biblical Reflection:
 
Mistakes are inevitable. No one writes perfectly. No one lives perfectly. But God, in His grace, has provided a way of forgiveness and restoration.
 
The eraser represents the grace of God, the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus Christ."If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.", 1 John 1:9 (NIV)‌"Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.", Isaiah 1:18 (NIV)‌"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.", Acts 3:19 (NIV) 
But notice the caution: the eraser only works on pencil marks. It cannot erase ink, paint, or permanent marker. In the same way, there are consequences to sin that cannot always be undone. We can be forgiven, but some marks remain. This is why we must walk in wisdom, avoiding sin where possible, and confessing quickly when we fall.
 
Application:
 
Do not be paralysed by the fear of making mistakes. God's grace is greater than your failures. When you fall, get up. When you sin, repent. The eraser is there for a reason, use it. But also, strive to write carefully, so that fewer corrections are needed."My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.", 1 John 2:1 (NIV) 
 
Final Word from the CEO"Remember, you are not just wood and graphite. You are a pencil, made with purpose, sent with love, and capable of leaving a mark that matters. Now go. Write well." 
 

Prayer for October.

 

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for creating us with purpose. Help us to embrace the sharpening seasons of life, knowing that You are making us useful for Your Kingdom. May we not neglect our inner life, but cultivate a heart that pleases You.

We surrender ourselves to Your hand. Use us as You will, in big ways and small ways. Help us to leave a mark of Your love and grace wherever You place us. And when we make mistakes, remind us of Your eraser of grace. Forgive us, restore us, and help us to write more carefully.

Amen. 

God bless you and see you through October.

 

Daniel O.

Aka: Comanda1