Everyday Heroes: Everyday Jobs
Then they scoffed, “He’s just the carpenter’s son, and we know Mary, his mother, and his brothers—James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. All his sisters live right here among us. Where did he learn all these things?”
Matthew 13:55-56 (NLT)
Everyday heroes work everyday jobs, but they do so with skilled dedication. A craftsman is 'a man who practices a craft with great skill' (American Heritage Dictionary).
Such as?
A shepherd, an artist, a fisherman, a taxman, a tentmaker, a handmaid, or a Carpenter from nowhere special.
Like Moses, David, Peter, James, and John.
Like Matthew, Paul, Mary, and Christ on Earth.
God's heroes didn’t seek jobs of prestige, but God’s most prestigious jobs sought them…because they were humble and obeyed Him. 'Whoever humbles himself shall be exalted' (Matthew 23:12). 'And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the Voice of the Lord your God' (Deuteronomy 28:2).
SIDEBAR from Carey: In college, I married my first husband, the brainy son of a disabled clerk. I left school to work, but he continued for many years (13 to be exact). He became a “degreed” professional. I became an unusual craftsman, working in my mother's modeling school. We “crafted” models and entertainers. His lofty friends didn’t get what I did. Some thought my mind and job were “less” than theirs.
Have craftsmen you know faced similar scoffs from man-ordained, platformed professionals…those with BIG letters trailing their names, like… MD, JD, PhD, CEO– or DD (doctor of divinity).
Consider Jesus: He suffered positional ridicule from Jewish leaders, who denounced His lack of formal education and status:
'Isn't this the Carpenter?' (Mark 6:3).
Similarly, a blind beggar Christ healed got the boot when he dared to defend Him… in front of scoffing synagogue leaders:
' 'Are you teaching us?' And they cast him out' (John 9:34).
Therefore, for all the scorned or unnoticed working-class heroes living among us, who quietly work with their hands and hearts in largely unheralded excellence, let’s remember The One Who DOES notice:
'God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His Name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister' (Hebrews 6:10).
Some might label craftsmen “common” people. But God labels them UNCOMMONLY GOOD.
Everyday Heroes: Everyday Jobs (Part 12)
NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God! We’re ALL called to be actors (action stars) for Jesus. We’re ALL called to models of Jesus, and we ALL have gifts, talents, and callings from God– to multiply them in the world for His glory.
P.S. NO DEVOTION, PREACHER, or SERMON… can begin to replace personal time in the Bible. I wholeheartedly and clear-headedly recommend READING THE BIBLE DAILY.
WARNING: Don’t focus on favorite verses, because out of context, they’re often misinterpreted. I plead with you to READ AT LEAST 1 BIBLE CHAPTER DAILY. How long does it take? An average of 5 to 10 minutes!