Chainsaw Wood Carvings

By Heather Block, Layperson

October 1, 2024

Key points:

• Husband transformed tree stump into fuel pump sculpture.
• God's work molds us into Christ's image.
• We choose to allow Holy Spirit's transformation.
• Be doers, not just hearers of God's word.
• We are God's workmanship, created for good works.
• God transforms us; we are His masterpiece.

This large stump stood in our backyard for a couple of weeks while my husband pondered what could be made of it. Of course, he looked at some of the natural bends and shapes of this tree until he settled on making it an antique fuel pump. He grabbed his chainsaw and went to work, cutting away everything that did not fit what he was seeking to make of it. The finished product has been amazing, and even more amazing is how an artist can see the possibility of what can be!

This has been such an example to me of our Heavenly Father, who does not see us just as we are but knows who we can become when we are transformed into the person He created us to be. We are transformed when we allow the Holy Spirit to chip away at everything that doesn't look like Jesus. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 says, "God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification (the process by which you are molded into the image of Christ) by the Spirit and faith in the truth." God most definitely has a plan and purpose in mind for you!

Allowing the Holy Spirit to work in our lives just means that we agree with what He is nudging us about through the Word of God and then we allow God to change us. Unlike the stump that had no choice to yield to the chainsaw, we do have a choice in whether we will allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives and cooperate with Him. James 1:21-22 says, "Putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves." We are an active participant in God's plan for us!

God created us in His image to do His good works, Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above--spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us]. Amplified Bible

I don't know where you find yourself today, but know that you are loved, you have a God-given purpose, and thankfully, we don't need to remake ourselves; God does all the work as we allow Him to. I want to be His work of art, don't you?