347 – Are You Crafty?

#faithbites #faithjourney crafty

Some people are laborers, which to me means work with your hands. Yes, there are many different types of work, but for this post, I’m talking about those who make a physical product with their time, effort, and talent. I have never been one of those people. I always have been a knowledge worker or educator. Nobel professions of course and I love what I do. Sometimes though, I want to make something.

Data can be corrupted. People can forget what you told them. But there is something about having a physical object to remind you of the craftmanship and memories. From wedding rings to pictures to ornaments to books, these all remind us of something. Heck, even cooking and baking is a physical craft, just one that we eat and it is gone.

I’ve been looking into doing something with my hands or something, like 3D printing that creates a physical object. I’ve checked out knitting, bead spriting, and more. Who knows what I will land on.

I do think there is something in our nature and faith that wants us to have a physical reminder of our belief. Maybe it’s a faith chest, a cross necklace, a family Bible, baptism pictures, something that we can hold or point to that shows us our faith.

Scripture

• He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers. – Exodus 35:35
• And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, ¹I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life.  – Genesis 9:12-15
• ‘You shall make an altar of earth for Me, and you shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen; in every place where I cause My name to be remembered, I will come to you and bless you. – Exodus 20:24

Reflection

First of all, in our verses today, we see God giving us a physical reminder of his covenant, the rainbows, as well as him giving us skills to create beautiful things such as the altar of Earth. From this, we know he wants this to be place where his name is remembered and he will come and bless us.

We have talked about our gifts many times, some having the ability to craft physical objects, other having the ability to create knowledge and intellect, and some with the ability to do.

I try to create physical things and maybe one day I will find a craft that I can show my faith and gifts in. Maybe, I am made to appreciate the crafts that others can make.

I do know that no matter the reminders we make or need, we should use them to always use Jesus as our example. While our attempts to make something should be a Pinterest Fail or on an episode of Nailed It, God’s work is always perfect.

Charge

Are you crafty? Do you use your craft to share His word with others? If you aren’t crafty, do you appreciate the craftiness of others? If you make physical or mental object, have something that always reminds you of God so you don’t stray too far.

Lord, help me to create something that keeps my faith center. Allow me to focus on that object as reminder of the promises you have made and kept, along with the promises I need to fulfill always. Through your strength and gifts, I can create and inspire others.