Years ago my wife bought me a table saw for Christmas, and I’ve enjoyed the first hobby I’ve had in my life. I like what the Canadian born physician, Sir William Osler, once told an audience of medical professionals:
No man is really happy or safe without a hobby, and it makes precious little difference what the outside interest may be—botany, beetles or butterflies; roses, tulips or irises; fishing, mountaineering or antiques—anything will do as long as he straddles a hobby and rides it hard.
But woodworking is more than a hobby. It has marvelous metaphors for your spiritual life.
In an earlier post, I shared the first half of 10 ways I’ve discovered that woodworking affirms your spiritual life:
In this post, let’s complete the list it’s taken me years to write.
What would you add to the list?
Here are 5 more ways woodworking affirms your spiritual life.
An inch is an inch, and it will always be an inch. I’m not sure where the original ruler is, but all tape measures today are based on that standard. In fact, they are all perfect to the degree that they reflect the original. An inch measures the same in Texas as it does in Massachusetts.
We refer to the books of the Bible as the “canon.”
The Word of God is our standard. It is our measuring tape that says an inch is an inch. And it makes it clear when we do and don’t measure up to God’s standard (Romans 3:23).
Frequently I have to check the measuring tape on my table saw to make sure it is dead-on accurate. Why? Because repeated cuts with an inaccurate measure will eventually yield a project that’s way off. The same is true of our lives.
The Word of God is perfect—and so are our copies of the Bible to the degree that they reflect the original manuscripts. When we measure our lives and decisions based on the unchanging standard of truth, our lives head in the right direction. But even a slight deviation can lead us down the wrong path.
I’ve installed built-in cabinets and crown molding in our home. Much to my disappointment, I’ve discovered that “the perfectly square corner” doesn’t exist. The framers got it close—and you can’t tell by eye—but nothing is perfect. When I began to allow for that, my work wasn’t as frustrating. And you know what? The results were just fine.
Very little in life is square.
After all, we accept our own imperfections, don’t we? What’s more, God accepts us as we are in Christ. We should extend that same grace to others (Ephesians 4:32).
Recently I shook hands with a man who had no thumb. It felt really strange. When I asked him about it, he had two words: “Table saw.” A chill went up my back.
I’m happy to say I still have all ten digits and both of my eyeballs. That’s because I have a healthy respect for what can hurt me.
Are you aware of what can hurt you spiritually?
Wood has personality. But it’s often hidden until you cut it, bend it, or stress it. Many times I’ve made cuts on the band saw or table saw and the wood instantly cupped, curled, split, or warped. I never would have known it until I cut it.
I’ve discovered that people can look really good, stable, and godly until life offers its challenges.
Also, in the same way we have to let green wood cure for a good year (or it will warp when you use it), young leaders need time to mature (1 Timothy 3:6, 10). There is no kiln that hurries up leader preparation.
Projects require much, much patience. As a weekend woodworker who also has a family to love, a yard to mow, bills to pay, and other home duties, my projects often take months to complete. (My roll top desk took me a year!) Most of the time I go to the shop, I begin by cleaning away spider webs.
Looking at a plan, you can see where you’re going and what the project will look like when it’s done. In fact, an anticipation for the project’s completion keeps you going in spite of mistakes and delays.
In the spiritual life, the plan is in the Bible and our prototype is Jesus.
Like woodworking, the spiritual life is a skill and an art, not a science. The longer you do it, the better you get.
Tell me what you think: Can you think of other ways woodworking relates to the spiritual life? To leave a comment, just click here.