CRAFTSMAN

Thoughts inspired by 'The Craftsman' by Richard Sennett.

Craftsmanship and creativity are inseparable. There is an idea, a desire that something should come into existence which was not there before. There is delight in that creation. Perfection is the goal, but craftsmanship leaves an indelible mark of humanity, with its frailty. There is a striving, but even in this there is fulfillment, spurring one on to further craftsmanship. A rhythm develops as the skill is repeated time and again. Creativity never ceases as there is always a future beckoning one on. It is this rhythm that gives life and energy to the task.

Workers with earthy materials have tools, poets have words. Each has a vision and a skill, and uses both head and hand.

A true craftsman will seek to develop the skill in others and as he grows in ability, he becomes a mastercraftsman. Blessed are those who have such a teacher, who has empathy with their humanity, but gives hope for the future.

"The Lord possessed me at the beginning of His way,
Before His works of old.
I have been established from everlasting,
From the beginning, before there was ever an earth.....
Then I was beside Him, as a matercraftsman;
And I was daily His delight,
Rejoicing always before Him,
Rejoicing in His inhabited world,
And my delight was with the sons of men"
Proverbs 8: 22, 23, 30,31.

God "has in these last days spoken to us by His son, whom he made heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds:"
Hebrews 1: 2