“But just like our life, God worked with and through the hobbits to bring about transformation in the world around them.” -Theology with the Inklings Part 2

Words have power. They have meaning. I often use them without giving much thought. This misuse of words often has little effect on the day-to-day life. But if someone is offended by my word choice, I am quick to point out that they are too sensitive, or that the meaning of my words were misunderstood.

But in rare situations, a word choice is used so exclusively and so often that our mind accepts it, along with its improper meaning. Our platitudes are meant to convey one meaning in a specific instance, but are then expanded and used and accepted in situations not intended.

Case in point, the quote at the beginning of this chapter (referring to the previous post). Many people would simply say “God uses the hobbits to bring about transformation.”

I think that is an incorrect word usage to use “use” like that (if you get my meaning).

Outside of the religious connotations, do you like it when you feel used? We like to feel useful, but we don’t like it when people use us.

To be used infers that we are liked only for as long as we have use. That as soon as we are not useful, we are not cared for.

Who has ever been used as a pawn by someone with a broken heart, to make an ex-lover jealous?

I give no thought to my screwdriver when I am not in need of it.

We are not tools.

I do not believe God will ever use us for anything. He loves us always and is trying to reconcile us to the world and each other. God wants to be in relationship with us. He cannot be both loving us and using us. He will bring about His plans with and through us, but will never use us.

When we apply this word to God, it corrupts our theology, causing us to think less of Him than what He actually is. We misuse the word.