03/03/2024
Attributes of a Craftsman
Here are the top 7 characteristics that I think truly define a craftsman- skill, creativity, focus, hard work, self-discipline, endurance, and sacrifice:
Skill & Creativity:
Over years and years of practice, the craftsman hones their skills to the highest level. Once having mastered the foundational skills and rules of their discipline, they push beyond the boundaries and begin to create things in wonderful new ways. This combination of skill and creativity often leads to greater recognition and influence. See (Prov. 22:29).
Focus:
If you walked into a craftsman’s workshop we would probably notice several things- consistently messy environments, materials tossed about and lying on the floor; the rhythmic and alternating noises of tools, hands, and machines busily pounding, cutting, stirring, measuring, pouring; all in their effort to create masterpieces. They would be surrounded by the tools and materials that are needed for their task. And despite all of this noise and mess you would find a person completely focused; focused on both the minute details in front of them, as well as the finished product they are trying to achieve. See (Prov. 4:25-26) & (Luke 16:10).
Hard Work:
You can tell the difference between a mediocre product and a masterpiece. It takes so much more time and effort to find the best of materials and to craft them in a way that maximizes both functionality and beauty. You have to go the extra mile. (Matt. 5:41) (Col. 3:23-24)
Self Discipline, Endurance, & Sacrifice:
At the beginning of a project, a craftsman must spend a great deal of time sifting away at the dross or cutting away the excess in order to reveal the final shape of a product. After that, they spend a lot of time decorating and adding finishing touches to it. A craftsman has to really discipline himself to see a project through from beginning to end. Often times his efforts require him to sacrifice other comforts, time with friends & family, passive entertainment, a comfortable working environment, etc. Being a creator is a whole different ball-game from being a consumer. It requires sacrifice. (Heb. 12:1)
So if these are the common marks of a craftsman, how should a Christian man differ from his non-Christian peers in the world of work? No one can deny that God has graciously gifted all men, both the Christian and the non-Christian, with skills and talents of various kinds; and with the responsibility to provide for their families. So where is the difference, if any at all?
I believe the clear difference lies in the reason WHY we do what we do. It all comes down to who we are ultimately working for.
God-Centered Work– All of our work is to be done unto God and not unto man. We don’t seek the honor of men, or personal pleasure and gain. Though we might receive those things as a result of our work, they are not our ultimate goals. God’s glory is.
Strength- We know and confess that The Lord is the source of our strength. We get up each morning and go to our places of work simply because He keeps our heart beating, and fills our lungs with air. How long would we last without those 2 things?
Inspiration- The Christian’s source of inspiration is found in God. When we abide with the Creator through His word and prayer, all kinds of wonderful and new ideas start flowing in our minds. And He’s given us an entire universe, blanketed with His attributes, as a source of creative inspiration.
Priorities- His Word lays out our priorities, and this governs the time, energy, and focus we should put into our work, into our family, our churches, and our communities. He creates boundaries within which we can safely pursue our callings without neglecting what’s really important.
Wisdom & Knowledge- God gives wisdom and knowledge to those who fear Him (Prov. 9:10). Christians know why the universe exists with amazing consistency, with beauty and order. Because it reflects the attributes of God (Rom. 1:20).
It’s in Him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28), and because of this, we aim to do all things for His glory (1 Cor. 10:31).
