But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. James 1:22‭-‬24 (KJV).‬‬

REFLECT:
Craftsmanship is one of the most important and interesting vocations to develop. This is because the skills derived from such training are priceless and always last a live time. If used positively and properly they add so many benefits to us and others.

Therefore, a craftsman must show forth a viable Craftsmanship. Meaning that they must be able to exhibit their ability in the craft of doing what they have trained for. Also, this craft or Craftsmanship should be able to impact the world in a good or better way. Of course, we know that every one of us would want services that will impact us for good or better our lives one way or other.

To be more explicit, we must understand that everybody has a craft that they have been called to do. From the careers we have to the callings, hubbies, purposes, and destinies we have been called into. These are all crafts in the sense of the word and in the different capacities in which we must engage ourselves in doing them.

However, for us to be able to successfully enter and function in the crafts we are called to, we must first learn the rudiments of the basic, fundamental principles that will help us act out or do them.

What basic, fundamental principles are we talking about and how do we obtain them? The basic principles are the teachings and instructions we get from the Word of God in the Bible. This means that the act of doing all we are called to do must first start with God and doing or acting out His Word in our lives.

This is exactly what our Bible verse for today tries to explain to us. It reveals to us the technique for achieving this. Which, simply put is for us to start and develop the craft of doing the Word of God.

The reasons why we must look to the Word of God for such guidance are numerous. Here are a few reasons that may help us understand better.

First and foremost, the Word of God is the only manual for life and living.

Secondly, the Word of God teaches, instructs, and guides us in every business about life, and we are the students, pupils, and apprentices the word is geared to train up.

Thirdly, the word of God is the only tool, equipment, and instrument that is capable to equip and give us the necessary experiences we need to have a head start in our ventures in life and also to be successful and victorious in such ventures.

Fourthly, the Word of God keeps us stable and focused to the end.

The above-mentioned reasons are of course just a few points or ways the Word engages us in the craft of doing what we are called to do or be. Therefore, if we do not give ourselves to the craft of doing and working out the Word of God, we can never fully succeed in the other areas that we have been called as craftsmen and women to do or perform.

Remember the saying, ‘Charity begins at home?’ This saying just sums up all we have been discussing. The Word of God is the start point as well as the end of all of life’s achievements.

So, let us henceforth give ourselves to the hearing, studying, and doing of the Word of God, and just as 2 TIMOTHY 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (KJV), we must be eager and willing apprentices, workmen or craftsmen and women, who are zealous to engage with the Word of God.

When we first give ourselves to the craft of doing the Word of God, the Word of God will also give itself to its responsibility to train us to do the various crafts we have been called to do.

Ebimobo W. Obasi

PLEASE PRAY ALONG:

A Prayer for Obedience.

FATHER GOD, You invite me to obey You, to be the craftsman or woman you have called me to be in doing your Word because You want the very best for me. Please make me eager to obey You, even when I don’t understand Your plan. Give me the wisdom to recognize the difference between what I think is best, and what Your best is for my life. In JESUS MIGHTY NAME AMEN.