Exodus 40:10 Then anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils; consecrate the altar, and it will be most holy.
This altar of fire was in the tabernacle. Chapter 38 tells us that among its utensils were some meat forks. I’ve always found it amusing to think that a meat fork can be holy.
That word—holy—can sound so pious that it seems unattainable, but it simply means chosen by God for a specific purpose. That meat fork was made for only one purpose.
At our house we have a set of knives that we use for just about everything: cutting tomatoes, opening packages, and prying open the battery compartments on children’s toys. But there is one knife that is... (cue music and spotlights)... the bread knife! It is only used for that purpose. Anyone who uses that knife for anything other than cutting bread will suffer the wrath of the one who chose that knife and its function—that would be Mom. Even though we didn’t anoint the knife with oil, it could be considered a holy knife. It was designed and created to be a bread knife, and the master of the kitchen has set it aside and instructed that it is not to be used for anything else.
I used to think that I could become holy by keeping a list of do’s and don’ts, but I’ve already been made holy—chosen by God for a singular purpose: the glory of God. I just have to live my life knowing that I am as holy as a meat fork.
Prayer: God, help me filter everything that presents itself to me today through the grid of my true purpose—don’t let me act like a regular old fork.
That word—holy—can sound so pious that it seems unattainable, but it simply means chosen by God for a specific purpose. That meat fork was made for only one purpose.
At our house we have a set of knives that we use for just about everything: cutting tomatoes, opening packages, and prying open the battery compartments on children’s toys. But there is one knife that is... (cue music and spotlights)... the bread knife! It is only used for that purpose. Anyone who uses that knife for anything other than cutting bread will suffer the wrath of the one who chose that knife and its function—that would be Mom. Even though we didn’t anoint the knife with oil, it could be considered a holy knife. It was designed and created to be a bread knife, and the master of the kitchen has set it aside and instructed that it is not to be used for anything else.
I used to think that I could become holy by keeping a list of do’s and don’ts, but I’ve already been made holy—chosen by God for a singular purpose: the glory of God. I just have to live my life knowing that I am as holy as a meat fork.
Prayer: God, help me filter everything that presents itself to me today through the grid of my true purpose—don’t let me act like a regular old fork.
Jeff...I absolutely love the analogy. It's going to stick with me. Praise God that He made us for such a great purpose!
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