Dan was always making things as a kid. He loved to tinker, to try to make things better. He was always fascinated by an old leather bag his dad had, the leather was old and worn. It mesmerized him. He was amazed that it was still every bit as strong as it was the day it was first made. The bag had so many stories to tell of business trips, important presentations and exciting adventures.
Today Dan works with leather. He sells his goods all over the world through his company Ewing Dry Goods. He’s an incredible craftsman. People are craving that personal touch that comes from knowing who made your product. It’s exciting to know when a living, breathing human being like Dan made it by hand. It’s personal. Love and care went into it.
His craft has connected him to many people and built bridges for him. As a maker he has common ground. He listens to stories of others who make goods and he shares his.
Dan feels a deep sense of accomplishment when he makes something. He feels the image of the creator when he says “this is good”. The creator himself marveled at his handiwork just as Dan does. We need to not only allow, but also encourage people to be creative and to give them opportunity to create.
Dan reminds us that we serve the most creative being in the universe; the Living God. He crafted us in His image. He created us to create.
I failed to mention Dan is also a pastor. Many would resist opening up to Dan the pastor, but they are ready to interact with Dan the leather maker, Dan the artist, Dan the creative. Our creativity makes us distinct to the core. It also makes us and the gospel we carry accessible to others. Makers like Dan can inspire us to create as our creativity connects us to the hearts of others.
How are we allowing the work of our hands to connect to the hearts of others?
I share more stories like Dan’s in my forthcoming book Everyone’s a Genius.