Truthfully, I am not the best when it comes to woodworking. But, early in my marriage I thought it would be something that I could master. I mean, how hard could it be? So, I spent much money to purchase the necessary equipment for me to build amazing things created from wood, sell my exquisite wood products, and retire early. Well, as you can see that didn’t really work out.
First, there was nothing I created from wood that was worth even giving away. No one wanted it. I didn’t even want it. I remember the first project I ever worked on. It was a bench with a heart cut out of the backrest. It was going to be perfectly beautiful and a huge surprise for my wife. I meticulously measured and cut pieces to glue and tack together. I cut out a heart on the backrest of the bench to show my unwavering love to my wife, but it looked like a broken heart when I stepped back to admire my work. The pieces of the bench were all put together but nothing fit right. One side was longer than the other. The seat pieces were not cut the same length. But, I said to myself, “hey, a little stain will cover a ton of mistakes.” So, I purchased some dark stain and began to paint it onto the bench……..without sanding the bench first. Well, I could go on and on, but this story does have a happy ending. 20 years later, Lari still has that bench in our house and refuses to allow me to take it to the dump. She said, “It’s great and it is the thought that counts.” Those words……”It is the thought that counts.” You know what that means? It means that my desire to show love meant more to her than the broken heart bench I made. Can you say “winning!” I love my wife!
What’s the moral? Here goes. The reason I struggled with the bench is because I measured once and cut without double-checking the measurements. The final product of the bench would have been so much better if I had measured the wood twice and only cut once. But you know, that’s the way we live our lives sometimes. We are not very careful. We think once and act rather than anticipate the consequences of our actions. I think it is important to carefully measure what we do against Scripture and the effect it may have on someone who is lost or a friend who is saved. While it is true that we have freedom to do some things, it is also important to remember that what we do absolutely affects others. I leave you with a thought from Philippians 4:8-9.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me (Paul), practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
5 Keys to living a life that honors God and others
1. Measure your thoughts and actions against Scripture, not your desires.
2. Consider others before exercising freedom in your walk with Christ. Your choice may be permissible, but not necessarily prudent.
3. Loving God and loving others means that you may have to limit your freedom in Christ to earn the right to share Christ with others.
4. Intentionally stay away from the grey areas. If you are unsure about a thought or action, don’t do it! Stay as far from sin as you can.
5. Remember, whatever you do, someone is always watching you.