Bespoke
As someone who likes to make stuff, I have an appreciation for men like Oholiab and Bezalel, minor players in the overall story of Israel’s early history. The Lord “filled [them] with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship.” Then God gave “to all able men ability” to “make all that [He] commanded [Moses].”
These men became the Maker’s makers.
Over the past number of years, there has been a revival of craftsmanship. For a long period, cheap, inexpensive, mass-produced goods dominated. They still do for the most part, but that world has been given a gentle nudge, and craftsmanship and quality are reasserting itself. Most people, given a choice and the ability to afford it, prefer quality goods made by someone they know, a local shop owned by a neighbor or friend. They don’t want their goods shipped in from Asia. They want to buy it from someone down the street.
A word that has become in vogue is “bespoke.” Bespoke was derived from “bespeak” which meant to speak beforehand. It was applied to custom tailoring where a customer would discuss what they wanted with the tailor before the clothing was made. Thus, they spoke beforehand. It has morphed into a broader usage to refer to anything that is commissioned work, or even something that is limited in quantity. Now, it is used by individual craftsmen who make things, and because what they make is handmade one at a time, it is necessarily limited in number and therefore “bespoke.”
I think this is a good trend and I hope it grows.
Okay, so where am I going with this on a spiritual devotional basis? Here are a couple of points I would make for the Christian who makes stuff:
· Remember that your gifts and skills come from the Lord. Yes, you have developed and honed those skills, but the ability, intelligence, knowledge, and craftsmanship are gifts of God.
· Always do everything as unto the Lord. None of us do anything perfectly. There is always room to improve and grow. One of the best ways to get better is to do what you do for the Lord first, and others second. Present your finished product to the Lord before you sell it or give it to someone else.
· Work and produce what you do in a way that honors God. Let it reflect Him. Never cut corners because “no one will know.” He knows.
In short, be your Maker’s maker.
