The tool

Did you ever pick up a pen and think, “Wow, this writes really well”, or go to hang a picture and realize you need a hammer?  Have you ever upgraded your computer only to find that your were running a dinosaur because the new computer was lightening fast?  As humans, we have created for ourselves tools to make life easier; tools which lighten our load, quicken our step or make precise calculations.  Tools enable us to exert less energy, accelerate the creative process while offering impeccable performance standards.  Let’s be honest, without tools, the challenges of life would be more problematic, more threatening, more inconvenient and don't we center our lives around convenience and instant gratification?  Tools have been invented throughout our human existence that our human experience be less complicated and less stressful and possibly more meaningful.  If this is the truth of our reality, then why do we neglect to see that we deem our greatest tools as our greatest roadblock?  The mind is the most powerful tool humans have in their arsenal for it has invented crafts which set humans in flight; upgraded from an abacus to graphing calculators; and so much more.  The abilities of the mind to seam together fragments of learned knowledge to create a free-flowing whole, to create something from nothing, well, the possibilities are limitless.  While educated knowledge is endless, the mind does have the ability and potential to stifle the reality of the heart, the truth of our beings for the mind likes not to work in conjunction with another as it prefers to be a dictatorship.  Highly acclaimed brilliant minds are rewarded for their efforts; fame, riches, titles, these the rewards sought by the mind.  When the mind becomes the sole decision maker, when the mind continues to race in the middle of the night, when the mind stops at nothing to achieve its goal, it is then the mind is no longer a tool but rather a weapon; a weapon set to destructive implosion.  Lucky for us, this tool of the mind was crafted by God therefore it is inherently good.  Learning to control the mind is our greatest challenge for our greatest flaws lie within the power of the mind to succeed amongst human mandates, neglecting our innate purpose of a God-centered reality.  With any tool, there is a learning curve, a time period to discover adjustments needed to allow the tool to perform with impeccable diligence.  How many times have we crushed our thumb under the weight of a hammer?  How many times has the computer screen flashed, 'Not connected to the internet'?  As great as tools are, there are limits to their abilities.  You cannot use a hammer to remove a screw, the threads too strong and stripping unavoidable;  while technology is advanced, it cannot make the hunger pains diminish.  The mind while creative possibilities are endless, the mind, too, has its limits.  Obstructed by scientific data, by mathematical deductions, by geographical barriers, the mind thinks only within parameters, gathering and sorting information as it is collected; while the heart it innately knows truth for it is intimately connected to the Father.  Couple the intrinsic power and capabilities of the mind with the truth and knowledge of the heart and life becomes a journey of discovery, a journey of connectedness, a journey of faith.  When my daughter does something she should not have done, I simply say, "Who is in charge of you?"  Having heard this question millions of times, she now, with attitude responds with, "Me, I know, I am in charge of me."  Blessed or cursed with free will, this outlook is determined by our usage of the mind as a tool.  Computers crash, technology fails, nails need to be replenished for while these tools, when used, running or stocked properly are remarkable, the moment something does not go according to the plans, mayhem is created.  The same is true for the mind; when it works in conjunction with the heart, it is tempered by our soul and thus a functioning tool.  If we learn to take charge of our self, if we learn that our actions are proportional to our responsibility then we are using the mind as its purpose, a tool.  Logging scientific discoveries, studying ancient cultures, designing cityscapes that are both functional and pleasing to the eye, the mind is diversified and powerful enough to create such logical, fascinating and beauteous works.  The heart, perfected in the Father's love, is the expert on the usage of such a magnanimous tool.    Our being is the heart, our soul is the Father's voice speaking to settle our uneasiness and silence the chattering mind.  A vehicle is simply a tool which takes us from point A to point B, often with ease should not traffic be encountered.  So, too, the mind is a vast tool which will help us to get from point A to point B, whether we encounter traffic is up to us.  We can look out our window and see liabilities waiting to happen should a huge storm pass through uprooting the mighty trees or we can look out the same window and see beauty, see life intelligently designed by a Creator as oxygenated air is recycled from the one living organism to the next.  Free will, a blessing should we choose to reign in the mind, using it as a tool to acquire a purpose-filled life in conjunction with the heart, in conjunction with the Father's love.  Free will, a curse should we choose to let the mind, not the heart, take charge and dictate our actions.  Simply a tool, the mind is ours to use, ours to learn.   We must take the time to discover all of its strengths, all of its potential.  We did not learn to operate a motor vehicle in one session; we did not learn DOS with one lesson; our first blue prints were not accepted as the final construction for city hall.  The mind, like every tool takes practice; it takes acceptance of failure and the vision of success that it may be properly operated and performing to is purposed potential.  A tool like none other, the mind naturally connects with the heart that the two may operate as one on a Godly level; a level of unconditional love, a level of vested knowledge in truth, a level of completeness in an incomplete human world.  Choose for the mind to be a tool, not a weapon that the soul may rest among a restless world for its choice of blessing is our purpose discovered in the light of God's intimate love.  Master the tool by living the gift of faith, surrender to the heart, the mind will take flight on its wings and the world will become purposeful and breathtaking.