In the Workshop

Many years ago, a good friend of ours created and gave us a beautiful table in the shape of a surfboard. It took him eight months to make it. As he walked me through the long process of making this piece of art, it made me think of how in the letter to Ephesus, the Apostle Paul says that in Christ, each one of us are in the hands of God and He is shaping our lives to be a masterpiece. Paul wrote, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) The end result is magnificent but the process is intense and takes a long time. The following is how the process was described to me by a Master Craftsman.

In the artists hands, a piece of wood or many pieces of wood becomes a masterpiece.  In the carpenters shop, wood is chosen. It is cleaned and prepared to be formed into the artist’s desire and vision. It is chosen then set aside. It is cut then set aside. It is pressed together with other pieces and then set aside.

It lays on the woodworkers table and waits.  When it is ready, it is sanded down and set aside. Meanwhile the master craftsman is working on other pieces as well. Forming them. Fitting them. Preparing them to be put together as a whole. Parts are chiseled down with great skill until they are the perfect size, not too wide but also not too small as they must be strong enough to stand under great pressure. Then they are wrapped tight and set aside. The base is measured, planned and then cut. Then sanded, sealed and polished. Then set aside.  When all the parts are ready, they are brought together. By force and pressure, they are joined by glue or secured into place by the hammer and nail.

What has the creator brought together? Is the vision realized? Does the wood know? Does it know that it is a part of a table or a chair? Does it know what has become? It does not. Does it choose what it is formed into?  Does it choose when it is done? Does it choose where it is placed? Does it choose when it is used? In the Master’s hands, a block of wood is recreated into a masterpiece. Fine and beautiful, useful and functional. In the Master’s plan it is given for use. By the Master’s hand it is created as a gift.  By the Master’s desire it is used as needed.

My friend, today you are in the process of becoming a masterpiece through your relationship with Jesus. You have been chosen and are being cut, sanded down, polished and prepared to do what God, the Master Craftsman of your life, has created you for. He is creating you to be a blessing, to bring great value to all those around you. Hidden within the mundane moments of daily duties lies the glory of God using you as He sees fit to take care of and love others.  You have been chosen and are being crafted in His masterpiece. No matter what stage of preparation you are at (and I feel like there are many seasons that we go back into the workshop) you can trust God that He knows what He is preparing you for and how to use you when it is time.

If you would like to see a video with the Surfboard Table and story in it, here is the link:Messy Spirituality Week 4

Have an amazing day in God’s Workshop and trust Him with the process.