BY REASON OF USE

Reference text: Acts 18:23-28

The words “start with what you have” came to mind after reading the reference text. A story is told about of a man who after reading the words captured in Proverbs 6:6 “go to any you slacker, consider it’s ways and be wise”, went out to purchase ‘an ant farm’. This was a structure containing some grains of sand and some ants. Fast forward to his return a few weeks later after a foreign trip to find what was just shy of a sand castle.

In the story of Apollos, we see a man speaking boldly in the synagogue. He was armed with eloquence, competency in scripture, accurate knowledge of the things concerning Jesus, fervency in spirit, and taught in the ways of God. Although knowing only of the Baptism of John, he run with this body of knowledge and taught boldly.

He gained additional mentoring from Priscilla and Aquilla when he was putting what he knew to use. When muscles are not used, they waste away and likewise, joints unmoved stiffen up. The only way then to clarify function is to test these out. Sometimes, the only time gaps in what you know and can do become evident, is when they have been put to use.

In the letter to the Hebrews we read ” But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil”(5:14).” Our focus is on the phrase “by reason of use”. You simply have to start from somewhere – first a letter, then a word, then a phrase, then migrate to sentences before thinking of stories.

You have to be bold and dare to put your abilities to use because although imperfect, you can only attain mastery by reason of use.

#sly