Weekend Warriors

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

-- 1 Corinthians 12:13

Whether it’s switching out a bathroom light fixture, installing a kitchen countertop or building a backyard patio, completing a do-it-yourself project is one of the most satisfying aspects of home ownership. Stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot cater to the millions of so-called Weekend Warriors who literally make it greener on the other side of the fence. And for those seeking inspiration for their designer-worthy project, help is as close as television’s D.I.Y. (Do It Yourself) Network or the time-tested House Beautiful magazine.

Credit (or perhaps blame) our modern Information Age. Expert advice on the Internet and TV—together with access to affordable tools and supplies—means there’s often no need to hire a master carpenter or plumber to achieve professional results. Ordinary Joes and Jo-Anns can save big bucks by doing it themselves.

Since Jesus probably learned carpentry skills from His human father (Joseph), it’s appropriate that today’s fixer-upper spirit has biblical parallels. But rather than wowing the neighbors with their electric miter saws or impact drills, Christ-followers can also achieve amazing results when they plug into a much greater source of power: God. And all it takes is sincere, focused prayer and the desire to do His will.

It’s a recurring theme throughout the Bible: God chooses the weak and otherwise unqualified. To this point, much of the New Testament revolves around a group of unlikely and unremarkable characters who learn their skills from a Master Craftsman (Jesus) and eventually change the world. Some were fishermen, one was a tax collector and another (Simon the Zealot) might be considered a terrorist by today’s standards!

Their project was to change the world for Christ’s kingdom…one person at a time. And since it continues to this day, it should be no surprise that God still chooses society’s outsiders and those who tend to fade into the crowd. But the unfeasible becomes achievable because through Him, all things are possible.

“That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties,” wrote the Apostle Paul. “For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

And indeed God does much through the weaknesses of a different kind of Weekend Warrior. Through their contributions and work in food pantries, the Salvation Army and similar organizations, families are fed, clothed and housed. The sick are cured with the help of healthcare professionals who also happen to trust Jesus. And still other Christ-followers teach the illiterate to read and the undereducated to gain critical life and job skills.

Are you ready to get your hands a little dirty this weekend? To borrow Lowe’s catchphrase: Let’s Build Something Together.