August 18, 2010

Disciples are Handcrafted not Mass Produced
Ephesians 2:10 (AMP)

“We are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].
Ephesians 2:10 (AMP)

Pastor’s Blog

The following is an incredibly insightful comment from one of our regular reflection readers. It’s from someone who knows handcrafting.

“I wanted to pass along an insight that I have about your blog today. You said that you 'loved how John Otberg puts it disciples are hand crafted not massed produced'. Being someone who everyday hand crafts furniture I understand his comment from a different perspective than many. As I was thinking about your blog my mind was drawn back to our shop and the furniture we have built. We do not mass produce it, as a matter of fact most of the work we do is "bench work" around 70 to 80 percent. In other words this work must be done by hand with hand tools as the machines are not capable of producing it. This means there is an intimacy between the builder and the work that is never shared with any other work. It also means that no two jobs are ever the same and each builder leaves his own unique "signature" on the piece. Not his literal name but the movments of his hands can be trace by the marks he leaves and the tools he chooses to shape the wood. To most people at a quick glance the two pieces might look identical but if you let me see them up close for a minute I can tell you who built them just by the way the piece is crafted. This is what makes each piece unique, the marks left by the builders hands, the method of building he chooses, his choice of material, placement of hardware, his sense of style and proportion, in other words his "fingerprints" are all over his work and the same is true of our Heavenly Father. We are covered by the fingerprints of God, it is this that makes us of value and importance, His work on us and His work through us. He has used you to place His finger prints on my life and I am so greatful to Him and you.”

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