Right now, millions of people are digging into their food with them. They have stood the test of time as a utensil for humans, even when countless thousands of other tools, gadgets and products have not. Used by Chinese, Japanese, Koreans and other Asians, these devices are held between the thumb and fingers. Commonly they are made of bamboo, plastic or wood. What am I talking about? Chopsticks, of course!

The Chinese philosopher Confucius had his hand in a lot of things in Chinese culture and chopsticks were one of them. This man really hated knives. In fact, Confucius hated knives so much that he, who was a vegetarian by the way, once said that the honourable man has to keep away from the slaughterhouse and that he should never allow knives on his table. With his influence on the Chinese people, it is no wonder that people soon put away their kitchen knives and started using chopsticks. China has been using them since 1200 BC, maybe even earlier. The first known sets were made of bronze and were mainly used for cooking as they were handy for reaching into boiling pots of oil or water. It was not until 400 AD that people started eating with them and then by 500 AD or so, chopsticks had spread all over Asia. Personally, I use them once in a while, but it was only recently that I realized they teach you the importance of:

Cooperation. First of all, chopsticks only work in pairs; they stand for close cooperation and team work. Also the Bible states that “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.” Ecclesiastes 4:9–10. This appeared to be the guideline for the work of the Apostles in the first century. Two disciples were sent to find the colt. Peter and John were sent to prepare the Passover and were later sent together to Samaria. Paul and Barnabas were sent by the Church to Antioch and later, after they had their dissension, each took a companion. “And He called unto Him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two.” Mark 6:7

Patience. Eating with chopsticks takes patience and care. When I started learning to use them a few years ago, my friends showed me different techniques. First I was quite clumsy and it was frustrating because I would drop the simplest pieces of food. At some point I wanted to give up because I was not very patient. However, my friends encouraged me to take my time and practice. Sometimes in life you wait on God and lose patience because His timing is not yours. Paul reminds you, “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation, continuing instant in prayer.” Romans 12:12. A woman that really knew what it meant to be patient was Elisabeth Elliot. She once stated that, “waiting on God requires the willingness to bear uncertainty, to carry within oneself the unanswered question, lifting the heart to God about it whenever it intrudes upon one’s thoughts.”

Slowing down. A common health tip is to try to eat with chopsticks when you can. Why? Because it slows you down and allows your stomach to tell your brain you are full before you overeat. Eating with chopsticks is a slower process, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes you need to slow down and take things one step at a time, break it down at each stage so that you have time to think. You probably live in a fast-paced society, rushing from one appointment to the next, but the Bible reminds you: “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

Aim. If you have ever tried using chopsticks, you know that you cannot get what you want by just haphazardly stabbing at the plate. To be able to get what you want, you have to aim for it. There is no way you can pick up everything in one go. Sometimes a little bit of focus makes the difference between failure and success. The apostle Paul also expressed the same idea for our spiritual life. “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14

Versatility. Chopsticks are used to carry out many actions with food such as stirring, picking up, separating, mixing, cutting, pressing and transporting. At the same time, chopsticks are also used for many things other than eating. By nature, their simplicity means that they are adaptable. Imagine being like chopsticks in this way, able to adapt in different situations and challenges. It also encourages you to innovate by combining skills and ideas from different areas of interest. Take for example David from the Bible: He was a shepherd, a musician, a soldier, a poet, a fugitive and outlaw, and the greatest King of Israel. He is described as “a man after [God’s] own heart.” 1 Samuel 13:14

Efficiency. Finally, chopsticks can be useful and efficient instruments if the person has the correct method of holding them. For an adult, the standard way is to place the thumb generally about one-third of the distance from the top of the chopsticks. This position not only looks elegant but also enables the best opening and closing of the tips. Studies show that while using chopsticks, people exercise over thirty joints and fifty muscles in the fingers, wrist, arm and shoulder. God created you according to His plan and for a purpose. If you are a chopstick in His hands, you can be efficient and of great use to many people around you. “In a large house there are not only utensils made of gold and silver, but also those made of wood and clay. Some are for special use, while others are for ordinary use.“ 2 Timothy 2:20–21 (ISV)

Manuela DiFranca