What is it?

What is it? I asked my Scripture class at Hollywood PS this afternoon, and they came up with all sorts of answers. Was it a pencil sharpener? A toy pet? A paperweight?

But when they pushed down on the bird, it became clear.

It’s a toothpick dispenser. The interesting this isn’t really the bird (although it’s awesome), it’s the question. When I asked the kids, “what is it?” they all assumed the question meant, “what is it for?” They made a few guesses, but once I showed them what it did, there was no more argument. Everyone in the room agreed it was a toothpick dispenser.

So why did the kids assume, “what is it?” means, “what is it for?” They could have just as easily answered the question by describing it: it’s a black plastic cylinder with a red pointy bit on top. Or what they would do with it: it’s a paperweight, cos that’s what I would use it for.

But they didn’t. They unconsciously recognized that the thing was defined by its purpose, and that its purpose was defined by its designer.

Today’s lesson was on creation, and that’s why we looked at the bird. We discovered that everything has been made for a purpose, and finds its meaning in fulfilling that purpose. It would be undignified to use the bird as a paperweight, because it’s a toothpick dispenser.

Of course it’s not every thing’s purpose is so obvious. What’s the purpose of a tree? A star? A person? But we need to ask the question, because otherwise we’ll end up abusing it.

P.S. I found the bird in the stuff for the garage sale. This means it will be for sale at St Matt’s this Saturday morning. So if you fancy it, it could be your’s!