Rubber Bands

I have been thinking about rubber bands. They are quite unassuming when you look at them. Some are colored for variety. Many are a standard color of tan. They come in different sizes.  On their own they may not seem to have a purpose. In fact, they may even look out of shape. If you saw one lying on the ground you might not even give it much notice. However, rubber bands can be quite amazing. They can have many purposes, depending on the need at the time. 

For some, a rubber band can be worn as a bracelet, often a child's fashion accessory. For others, a standard rubber band makes a great hair tie or pony tail holder. For a bit of amusement you can fling a rubber band across the room as a projectile, often aimed at another in fun and jest. Probably the most common use for a rubber band is wrapping it around multiple objects to hold them together. You can imagine how many more uses that a rubber band lends itself to. 

In pondering all these wonderful thoughts I realized that people are like rubber bands, or we should be. We should lend ourselves to many uses in the lives of others. In particular, we should be always ready to wrap ourselves around one another, especially when it seems like another may be falling apart. Just as we wrap a band several times around an item to make sure it is snug, we should do the same with our family, friends, loved ones and anyone we see with a need. It may take several people in the life of one to wrap themselves around him/her to make sure enough support is given. 

We want to make sure not to wrap ourselves too tightly, for that may damage the very one we hope to secure. Likewise, too loose and we may have something slip through. Of course, we all know that rubber bands can become weakened, brittle and even break from time to time. This is caused by exposure to the elements, especially heat. One way you can protect rubber bands is by storing them in your refrigerator or freezer.

We can translate that tip like this: We, as people, when being utilized as rubber bands, may find it necessary from time to time to "Chill out". We may need to take a break from the elements that could weaken our usefulness. We need not isolate ourselves for then our service becomes unfulfilled. Once the heat in our life has cooled we need to return to a place of use.

Another cause for rubber bands to become brittle and break is that sometimes they have been used for one thing only and left in that stretched, stress state. The bands become stiff and dry and more easily suffer brokenness. We must care for ourselves and realize that we may need to be utilized for more than just one purpose. Again, we may find that, from time to time, we need to chill and relax as we recoup and retain our elasticity.

In 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 Paul writes, "For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you."

Maybe one day we need to be a hair tie and the next day we need to be a fun projectile. Maybe we need to become a replacement eraser atop a pencil. Whatever the need may we place ourselves in the Master's hands so that He may utilize our seemingly unassuming selves for His glory so that some may be saved. By being a rubber band may we become all things to all people. Let's not be afraid to stretch ourselves in an effort to minister and love those around us. 

Personally, I plan to be a colorful rubber band...maybe a green one...or red...or....

For fun tips on how you can use your rubber bands check out this site:

http://www.marcandangel.com/2008/04/26/40-practical-tricks-for-an-ordinary-rubber-band/