Knotty Wood

Craftsmen have a singular mind, focus, and attention to detail that produce some of the most wonderful pieces of work in history. Others, myself included, who are borderline ADHD find it difficult to concentrate too long on any one thing. Squirrel!

Craftsmen paint, sculpt, write, and build. My appreciation for their craft goes beyond the piece of work to the raw talent, the gift, that is part of who they are. They can hone their gift, but their abilities are intrinsic, and I am awed.

The workmanship is exact. The attention to detail demanding. You can tell the dedication and skill of the craftsman by the quality of his work. It is their signature.

Everything the craftsman produces has a purpose, whether to inspire or keep time, the craftsman expects something from his creation. Often if the piece doesn't meet his exacting standards he will destroy it, take it apart, and start over. Perfectionism dances within his DNA.

We are the workmanship of God, but instead of creating us from scratch He is recreating us. Instead of throwing the worn and broken out, He uses the raw material and creates something new. God's standard is perfection and He is constantly at work in us to confirm us to the image of His Son.

He is never satisfied, but patient. He is never finished, but is making us complete.  The challenge for God is like the wood worker who has a board full of knots. The more there are the more challenging the work. In God's case his works of art can be stubborn and rebellious. Yet, he continues to work refining and pruning.

We are his workmanship and we have a purpose that has been prepared with us in mind. Our purpose entails good works. Doesn't sound really exciting, but the opportunities are multitude. Every act, every moment, is filled with the possibilities of our purpose. There isn't one work, but scores.

The work for which we have been crafted is a part of who we are, therefore, we walk in them daily. Our lives revolve around our purpose and when we don't conform to them we will feel empty and lost. 

I am glad to be a workmanship of God, crafted in the image of His Son, designed for a glorious task. I have a purpose for which the words of God, "well done good and faithful servant," are full of meaning. I'm just saying...