365 Days of the Great Names of God, Day 202: Carpenter

Carpenter

"But in the next breath they were cutting him down: 'He's just a carpenter—Mary's boy. We've known him since he was a kid. We know his brothers, James, Justus, Jude, and Simon, and his sisters. Who does he think he is?' They tripped over what little they knew about him and fell, sprawling. And they never got any further." (Mark 6:3 MSG)

The Carpenter is at His wood bench. He has an idea for something He wants to make. He knows what He wants the finished piece to look like. He has a model He's working from.

The Carpenter lovingly and carefully selects a chunk of wood that's about the right size and sets to work.

He chips away at the piece of wood to hew it into the basic shape He has in mind. Then he planes and whittles and shapes it to refine it. He keeps checking His model for reference. He knows what He wants the finished piece to look like.

There are some rough places on the chunk of wood that have to be smoothed down. There are sharp edges that have to be curved. The wood has to lose some of itself so it can gain the shape the Carpenter has in mind. It has to give way to itself so it can be molded by the Master.

Finally, after a long time, the Carpenter looks at His creation. He is pleased with it. He treasures it. He cherishes it. He is satisfied that what He has made fulfills the vision He had in mind to begin with. He has always known what He wanted the finished piece to look like. He has a model He's working from.

The Carpenter checks His model one last time: He looks into the crystal-clear river of the water of life and sees His own reflection. He nods with approval. He has finished His creation. It looks like Himself.