Recently, I have taken up the hobby of woodcarving. Now, there is something you need to know about me. I am, in all true sense of the word, a hobbyist. What is that you may ask? A hobbyist is someone who migrates through different forms of activity for leisure or relaxation. I tend to add artistic expression to each of my hobbies. Sometimes I just like the challenge while other times I expend the energy for a deep purpose. My hobbies include but are not limited to:

• Writing (a longtime friend)

• Drawing

• Painting

• Woodworking (butcher blocks, kitchen islands, end tables, etc,.)

• Gardening

• Business (Can it really be hobby in 2026 if its not monetized?)

• Digital Art

• Reading (Novel idea, I know.)

• Playing Guitar

• Chess

• Podcasting

• And now…wood carving.

  
  

Out of them all, I have come to one conclusion…humans were meant to create. Genesis 1:27 says,

You were created in the image of God which means you are a little creator. Now sure, you may not be able to craft an entire universe out of nothing or hang the stars on your words alone; but by using what God has given you, you can create things that matter, things that have an eternal impact.

I am learning with wood carving that I don’t always have to be doing something that others would deem eternal to learn the life-giving lesson of our Creator God. As I listen to Scripture and whittle my way through the complexities of owl feathers, here are a few lessons the Lord is teaching me:

1.      Slow down. Take your time and enjoy the process.

It’s amazing how fear and insecurity can produce a restless intensity on being “productive.” This toxic productivity (and as Mark Comer calls “hurry-sickness”) can rock your world into a spiraling headache of unfulfillment and misdirection. I talk about this in my book, Restless: Finding Rest in a Restless World, and how you can ditch the fight to be productive and tap into the Person who offers clarity and peace of mind.

If wood carving has taught me anything, it is that I had better learn to enjoy the “meaningless” tasks of life or my life will become meaningless.

2.      Mistakes hurt but won’t kill you. Treat the wound and keep going.

I am a beginner wood carver. This is evident by the little red tic-tac-toe marks on my hands. I mean, what is more fun than slicing a razor-sharp object across a multi-feathered barn owl only to cut a beak off and insert into your hand? Delightful.

It’s a valuable reminder to me that although I make mistakes or get hurt in life, I’ve got to pull up my boot strap and queue the music from “Meet the Robinsons” and sing with arms lifted, “Keep Moving Forward!” It’s true that some wounds are worse than others, but with proper care and hopeful patience, the Healer slowly moves the hands of the little creator and brings his usefulness back to life.

3.      Experimentation is the key to growth. Perfectionism stifles it.

One of the greater challenges of wood carving is finding the right material for the job. Bad material. Bad results. But one of the additional fascinations that I have acquired with sculpting is identifying, harvesting, and making use of wood that I find in the wild. There is something so satisfying about finding the right tree, cutting it down to size, and using the material to create something beautiful for someone else to enjoy. But sometimes you have to do a lot of trial and error before you get to a finished project that is worth giving. (For you other beginners out there, don’t carve green pine wood. Seems like a good option, but trust me, it’s a sappy mess).

Don’t be afraid of failure. Analysis paralysis is a real thing, and it will keep you from ever venturing out into unknown territory where you discover your Savior in a new and fresh way. Peter understood this when in Mark 4, he stepped out of the boat and miraculously walked on the water towards Jesus. His perspective of Christ changed when he stepped out of the boat. I’d say that yours will too.

4.      The small things are the “big” things.

My productive and perfectionistic tendencies don’t cope well with the staggered learning curve of sculpting hard woods. Am I really making a difference puncturing all these holes in my fingers? As I cover the shop floor with a sea of basswood and walnut shavings, Jesus is teaching me to not make the “big” things the goal. Sure, do I love preaching camps and conferences with a sea of people praising God and getting things right? Absolutely! But it’s not every day you’re on a rollercoaster. Sometimes, slowing down and carving a little butterfly for “the least of these” can do more for the soul than a thousand words. I may not feel the weight of heaven and hell on my shoulders, but I can impact another’s life for eternity in the simplest acts of generosity. A kind word, a cup of cold water, or warm smile may seem mundane and unimpactful but in reality, it can be a moment that changes someone’s life forever. Including yours.

I wonder what Christ, who was a carpenter, thought of His time before his ministry. Do you think He wasted His time building tables and carving spoons instead of starting His ministry earlier? I don’t think so. All the cutting, sawing, and sanding was preparatory for the work He would do in the hearts and lives of many to come.

Wood carving may not be your thing, but one thing is for sure, every bit of cutting, sawing, and sanding that God is doing in your life right now is for a reason: to sculpt you into the image of His Son.

So, slow down, mend the mistakes, keep growing, and remember the small thing are really the “big” things.