76 Trombones

I don't know how many times in my life I've heard people say they want to be a "tool in God's hands" or referenced that phrase in some way.  I've thought about my dad's or my husband's  tool bench with a hundred tools either laying out or up on a hook.  I've thought about how great it would be to be the special screwdriver that seems to get chosen for every job--the crescent wrench that adjusts to fit whatever nut needs to be loosened.  I can imagine the spiritual spotlight from above shining on the individual tool that is suited for the task at hand.  It's a good mental picture.  As it turns out, there is no scriptural basis for the phrase, at least that I can find.   It's kind of like  "I never said it would be easy, I only said it would be worth it."  Yeah, some great  phrase somebody made up and tried to put in God's mouth.

There are a few references to "instrument in God's hands."  They are all, however, in the Book of Mormon so the general population of Christendom doesn't read them or gain access to the  metaphor.  In Alma 26:3 it says,  "And this is the blessing which hath been bestowed upon us, that we have been made instruments in the hands of God to bring about this great work."  That's Ammon talking about sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I actually think I like the mental meaning better for instrument than tool.  Instruments are, for the most part, only used for making beauty.  Tools make me think of grime and sweat and Murphy's Law, whereas music  evokes feeling; touches the soul; calms or excites.  Again, I wonder, "How do I be the instrument that gets picked up?"  It also makes me think about my piano playing and how great it would be to be the piano played by Someone who never makes mistakes--just always sounds like it's supposed to.  That brings up the "keeping ourselves in tune" phrase. 

As long as I'm in tune, does it matter if I'm the base drum that's needed in every song or the euphonium that most people have never even heard of?  Philosophically, for this discussion, probably not, but it's hard to keep that in mind all the time--especially when the bass drum is booming along in perfect rhythm.

I found one other metaphor that belongs here.  2 Timothy 2:20-21  "But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.  If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use and prepared unto every good work."  I think this means that some of us are shiny and seen as really impressive, but others of us are wood or clay, and as long as we are all  clean  inside, we can be equally usable in God's hands.  Is it awful that I would still rather be gold than wood?

I want to be used by God.  I want to be the french horn solo in the Christmas pageant of life.  I want to be the pitcher that's perfectly polished on the table for a feast.  I know.  It's wrong.  I guess I want him to pick me up even if I'm just a pinch-pot or a  kazoo.