Every Cut Matters

I love doing DIY projects and, as you can probably tell, they usually involve my 1985 Chevy C10 truck—or other vehicles I've owned over the years. But I also enjoy working on projects around the house or out in the shop.

Growing up in northern Ohio, I helped my dad remodel our house. He built the kitchen cabinets, installed all the trim, and tackled just about anything else that needed to be done. My dad is the one who taught me to be a DIYer. I helped with countless projects around the house, worked on his vehicles, and learned by watching and doing. It's something that has always come pretty naturally to me.

There are a couple of things I don't enjoy, though—house electrical work and plumbing. Automotive electrical work doesn't bother me at all, but those two jobs around the house are ones I'd rather avoid if I can.

One thing I do enjoy, at least from time to time, is carpentry. I'm not always very good at it—I usually tell people I'm a better rough carpenter than a finish carpenter. Even so, I've completed a few projects I'm proud of. I've made cutting boards for family members, and I built a toy box for my niece. Both projects required far more patience than I normally have.

As I was getting ready for work one morning, my mind wandered to carpentry. Then I thought about who was probably the greatest carpenter to ever walk the earth—Jesus.

I doubt He had to measure twice because He cut it wrong the first time.

I imagine every cut was precise, every joint fit together perfectly, and every table leg ended up exactly the same length.

The Bible doesn't tell us much about those years of Jesus' life. We know He was called "the carpenter," and He was also known as "the carpenter's son." Beyond that, Scripture doesn't tell us exactly what He built. Did He make furniture? Build homes? Create farm tools? We really don't know.

Whatever He built, I'm confident He did it with excellence.

Then I started thinking about His ministry.

There has never been another ministry like it.

Jesus lived on this earth for about 33 years, and every part of His ministry accomplished exactly what the Father intended. Nothing was out of place. Nothing was unfinished. Nothing needed to be patched or covered up. It was perfect from beginning to end.

Every time I start a woodworking project, I aim for that same kind of precision. I want every angle to be right, every board cut to the proper length, and every joint to fit together just as it should. Sometimes I get it right, and sometimes I don't. When I don't, a little wood filler or caulk can hide a few imperfections.

Life isn't quite that easy.

There isn't a tube of wood filler that can cover our mistakes or straighten out every crooked cut we've made along the way. But we can keep learning, keep growing, and keep striving to honor God in whatever we put our hands to.

So let me ask you...

Are you satisfied being a rough carpenter, or are you striving to become a finish carpenter?

From The Shop Stool