Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. 6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. (Romans 12:3-8)
From a very early age my father taught me how to build things. When I was nine we built a beautiful circular bench around the huge oak tree in our back yard. The brick bench had a hinged wooden top which fit snugly against the tree trunk. Stored inside were, bats, balls, helmets, sticks and pucks; The tools of a growing boy’s trade.
We built beautiful outdoor chase lounges which were fully adjustable, laced with rubber tubing, routed through eye-bolts that supported the cushions. I’m sure dad could have purchased patio furniture from K-mart for much less. However, what would that have accomplished, other than saving time, effort and money?
I was dad’s right hand man, and I loved every minute of it. I was right by his side as he finished our basement; Framing, floors, drywall, trim, we even built the furniture… Dad was as turn-key as they come. I also assisted as he bolted our basketball goal to the house, which seemed to me at the time, to be an engineering marvel, as it extended out under the eves. We attached the backboard to large corbel blocks using very long U-bolts, salvaged off an old dump trucks undercarriage from the local scrap yard. There was no reason to play ball in anybody else’s driveway, ours was the best—Dad made sure of that.
It wasn’t always just hammers, ladders, saws and shovels, dad also taught me how to use the tools that keep things running. I always thought that my father bought me old worn out motorcycles and snowmobiles because we were poor. However, I came to realize their condition didn’t correlate to his bank account. The heavily used machines presented the life lessons I would learn from fixing them. Sure, if he could, he would give me what every kid wanted, every ball, every toy…most fathers would. But what was more important to him, was giving me what I needed… Lessons.
When I look back at my childhood memories I realize, most if not all of them, are framed in a lesson… Many of the moments I remember most, seem to be of lessons taught and lessons learned. Those that formed a solid foundation while developing a young mans God given gifts and talents.
When I moved on to college, one of the first things I did was design and build a loft in my dorm room. Many of my buddies proved to be good at twisting my arm, so I built several lofts that freshman year. Later during college, I went on to build my own furniture, some of which I still have today. I was a carpenter disguised as a beer drinking, girl chasing, student athlete.
After college I went on to become an investment broker. After seven years of sales my inner carpenter was screaming to come out… So, I became a dock builder, and never looked back. I’ve always been a carpenter. After docks I moved to Atlanta and built decks, gazebo’s and fences. Ultimately my carpentry and business skills led to building a successful homebuilding and development company.
In the past, at the clubhouse or the gym, when a new acquaintance asked me what I did or how I made a living, I would typically described myself as a homebuilder. A homebuilder is typically viewed as higher up the food chain than a carpenter, seemingly more impressive on one’s resume. I try to be more accurate now, I’ve come to realize who I am, and the talent God has given me. I’m a carpenter and I serve others!— “Thank you God! —Give me something to build!”
The world may label me a homebuilder or a developer and rightfully so, I have built homes and developed land. However, I wasn’t one when I was just a young carpenter. And while I became one, I still remained a carpenter, just as I do today.
Looking back on my life and giving witness to God’s grace, what I see aren’t the homes I built, but rather the men and relationships that were built and the people I served—“The beautiful things.”
When I look back I see, all that was built as a reflection of what God designed me to build—He designed a carpenter. The lessons I’ve learned enabled me to build things people need, and when used right, they help build Godly people along the way. I’ve learned that during one’s lifetime, lessons taught and lessons learned, bring us closer to Jesus… Always be thankful for lessons taught.
The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in teaching and reminding believers of the lessons found in Scripture. Jesus promised His disciples that The Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you.” (John 14:26)
The Holy Spirit continues to illuminate the hearts and minds of believers. He helps us to understand and apply biblical lessons in our daily lives. Alway be thankful for lessons taught…“Thank you Jesus”
My father’s lessons taught me a lot as they honed my skills as a carpenter and a servant. I use to wonder if my father saw the special gift and the talent, that God had gifted me. Now measuring myself by the faith I have in God and all he has given me, I know my special function in Christ’s body. I no know, that my Dad knew, that I would build “beautiful things.” And he did all he could to develop those gifts and talents in his youngest son. “Thank you Dad”
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)
Don’t change who you are to become like Jesus—Become like Jesus, just as you are. Recognize who you are. Recognize the gifts and talents God has blessed you with and use them to do good works, as He planned you too.
Jesus instructed us…teach others, learn from others and serve others. What lessons will you teach today? – Which lessons will you learn? Who will you serve? Dedicate your life to serve the Lord—Load up your bag and start driving nails!
“I tell you the Truth”
A Carpenters Creed
“The hammer of the Lord drives the nails of His lessons into our very souls. He leaves his lessons with you. If you desire to be like Jesus make sure your tool bag is full of His lessons. The more nails you have in your bag the more building you can do.”
– Jim Oates – Master Carpenter for Jesus Christ