When I was
in high school, we lived in a very small town just outside of Reno, called
Verdi. I spent some of the best years
there – exploring the outdoors, fishing, riding my mini-bike, shooting my bb
gun. But one of the best memories I have
of that time is splitting wood. Now, don’t
get me wrong. At first, I hated it. It was just one more chore I had to do. But over time, it became something I enjoyed
doing (well, maybe not all the time!). Splitting
wood taught me some valuable lessons when it comes to physical labor. Those lessons can apply whether using an ax,
or digging in a garden, or hauling sand-bags, or repairing a fence.
- God created us to work. This does not mean that working in an office is not Godly. But it does mean that we can experience God through our physical labor as well – in fact, sometimes it actually seems easier!
- Physical labor improves your coordination. You don’t need to miss the log with the axe too many times before you get a lot better at your hand-eye coordination.
- Physical labor pays off in the fitness area. You don’t build too many muscles playing X-box! On the other hand, hauling around logs or bags of sand is great for the biceps. Not to mention the heart, weight loss, etc.
- Physical labor gives you a sense of accomplishment. It seems there is always more paperwork to do, more calls to make, more bills to pay. But physical labor usually has a definitive end. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as finishing that last log and stacking it on the pile.
- Physical labor reminds you that many people make their living this way. I’m not just talking about manual laborers in the United States. Think about all the men and women in underdeveloped countries that not only “make a living” with physical labor, but simply “live” through physical labor. Hand-washing clothes. Fetching water from a well. Taking care of livestock. This does two things for me. It makes me realize how blessed I am, and it gives me a tremendous respect for those who labor daily.
- Physical labor is great for “working through things”. Break up with your girlfriend? Split some wood. Mad at your parents? Split some wood. Fail that exam? Split some wood. Feel like life has become waaay too complex and that you’ll never be good at “adulting”? You guessed it – split some wood. Manual labor both focuses your mind on a task, and allows you to work through things mentally and emotionally. It’s also a great way to “let off steam” without damaging your knuckles on a wall!
- Physical labor teaches responsibility. There’s an easy connection when the labor is a chore, or part of your job. You have a responsibility to do something, and there are consequences if you don’t and rewards if you do. But even if the labor is a personal project there is still a feeling of satisfaction when the job is done and done well.
- Physical labor teaches valuable skills. So, maybe there will never be a zombie apocalypse. However, what if the power goes out? It’d be nice to have a fire on a cold night. What if your car breaks down? It’d be nice to be able to haul your groceries home. What if your power tools get left out in the rain? It’d be nice to know how to use a hammer, saw, and post-hole digger. What if the plumber can’t get there until tomorrow? It’d be nice to know how to fix a leaky pipe.
- Physical labor gives you a sense of ownership. When you are the one who split that cord of wood, or put those sandbags in place, or built that fence, then you can rightfully claim “I did that”. Of course, that also goes back to responsibility. If you did that, then you are the one responsible for the quality of the work. Ownership and responsibility go hand in hand, and often lead to improvements.
- Physical labor is sometimes best when done alone – it gives time to sort things out. But physical labor is also sometimes best when done together. The only thing that was better than splitting wood by myself was when my dad was teaching me. Working together to labor creates bonds that the office can’t match.
