The Square Box

As children there are many times that we want to do something and we assume that the excellence which we see in someone else can be copied quickly and without all the effort that’s necessary to become a craftsman. I can remember one time when I wanted to build some furniture like my dad was building that he had a prerequisite for me. He suggested that my very first serious project should be to build a perfectly square box.

Inside, I was frustrated. I believed that building something as simple as a box was way below my skill level. The challenge was not that great, so the effort I put into completing the challenge wasn’t that great either. When I confidently presented my box to him, I found out that my quick attempt to build the square box was a failure.

In assuming the simplicity, I neglected the craftsmanship. Oh, it was a box, but not truly square. You see I had looked at the task that I was given as being beneath my skill level, undemanding, and really unnecessary. I didn’t see the values he was trying to instruct me in.

Are we disappointed in life when God asks us to do something that we consider having gone far beyond earlier? Do we consider the simple task as something which requires much less than our best?

We need to understand that the Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us. There are no parts to that plan which are unnecessary, demeaning, or undemanding. The "Oh, I can already do that" mentality will get us into trouble very fast. We will carelessly listen to directions, half-heartedly attempt the task, or rush right past the teachable moment.

We see the disaster of this approach with Joshua and the Hebrew people when they rushed to battle with Ai. It seemed so simple that they did not seek seriously the input of God. A simple, supposed victory turned into a horrific defeat (Joshua 6-7).

When we start living out the truths of God’s Word, we will find that even the simple things require a full measure of faith and trust in the Father. To truly love others the way Jesus tells us to love requires a personal connection with Him.

When Jesus said to, "Love our enemy," that doesn’t make sense. Further, He informed His followers to carry a Roman soldiers burden for an extra mile. Surely, as a Christian did this joyfully, it would raise the questions that would allow for the sharing of the Good News. It is interesting to see that by the end of the first century there was a church in practically ever city that had a Roman outpost. Had the simple act of obedience and the witness of the love for Christ changed the entire known world? (Matthew 5:41,44)

One of the most beautiful things with Christianity is that Christ says, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." He will teach us to be the craftsmen that He needs, in order to bring Him glory. (Matthew 4:19)

Lord help me not to think of the task you give me as simple and therefore failing to give my best and forfeiting the benefits. Teach me to be the craftsman you want me to be.