You’re Like A Pencil

             I’ll keep it short today.

I read this analogy somewhere, written by a very prolific, famous guy (Mr.
Anonymous), so this isn’t an original idea.
However, I rearranged it completely and added my own thoughts. 
In other words, I perfected it.
Says who? Two brilliant people: My mother and my wife. And don’t even try to
disagree with them.  Trust me. It won’t work. I’ve learned the hard way.
Okay, back to my topic. 
Here are the five things that are common between you and a pencil…

1. A Pencil Has Purpose

God made a pencil to make its mark in this world. Early on, it must establish its
purpose—it’s not a backscratcher, or a toy that you twirl around your finger, or a
can opener, or (sorry for the grossness) an ear cleaner…
       If a pencil diverts its purpose, it will destroy its very existence. It you use it for
something else, it will endanger its life. The pencil gets broken and you won’t be
able to write anymore.
       In the same way, you need to establish your purpose. You can’t be distracted,
or you endanger your very existence. You must be focused on one thing. What is
your one thing?
       I don’t know about you, but I like to be with people of purpose. Who know
their one thing. Because they are focused on one thing, they are excellent
people. They move with direction.
       I ask you again: What’s your one thing?

2. A Pencil Has Priority

The inside of a pencil is more important than the outside of the pencil. Because the
insides are connected to its purpose. On the outside, it could be have dirt, have bite
marks, have chipped paint, but that doesn’t matter as long as its insides are
working.
       Like the pencil, your purpose is connected to what’s inside you, not what’s
outside you. 
What am I saying? Your money or your house or your car or your watch or your
cell phone won’t make you happy. It’s what’s inside you that will make you happy.
       The Divine imprint is in you. Inside you is the image and likeness of God. The
Bible says “Christ dwells in you.” (Colossians 1:27) and that you are the “Temple
of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 3:16).
       Value what’s in you more than what’s outside you!

3. A Pencil Needs Pain

A pencil has to go through painful sharpening if it’s to be useful. If it doesn’t go
through pain, it won’t be able to fulfill its purpose.
In the same way, you need to prepare yourself to go through painful sharpening—
if you want God to use you. You will go through trials to test you, teach you, and
train you to be better than you were before.
Look back into your life.
There must be a reason why you went through what you went through. There’s a
reason why you went through that molestation, that separation, that abortion, that
deprivation, isolation, that temptation, that purgation, that tribulation…
I was molested as a child. I will not wish it on my worst enemy. Yet I am able to
speak words of healing today because of the pain that I went through.

4. A Pencil Needs Perseverance

If it makes a mistake, the pencil doesn’t give up. Why? Because it knows it has an
eraser. The pencil simply erases its mistakes, and moves on. It doesn’t beat itself
and condemn itself and say, “Oh, I’m so terrible. Why did I make a mistake? I’m a
total failure.” No such words. When it makes a mistake, it simply erases and moves
on.
       In the same way, when you make a mistake, God gave you an eraser. It’s the
most powerful eraser in the world. It’s called forgiveness. 
God forgives you. And asks you to forgive yourself. And asks you to forgive
others. 
Use your eraser everyday!

5. A Pencil Needs Power

A pencil left by itself cannot fulfill its purpose. Because its power doesn’t come
from itself but from the hand that holds it. For the pencil to make its mark in the
world, it needs to allow someone’s hand to hold it. 
In the same way, you need to allow God’s hand to hold you so you can fulfill your
sacred purpose.
Are you allowing God’s hand to hold you, direct you, and use you now?
       Friend, let God hold you now.
       May your dreams come true,
       Bo Sanchez