This TED Talk, by 15 year-old Dong Woo Jang, brings together several elements of recent posts and favorite topics of mine: Grit – the ability to persevere through adversity to pursue a goal. Making things – taking pride in the time it takes to craft something, whether a violin, coffin, or guitar. Creativity – in this case, taking ordinary objects and seeing in them the potential for something else in the hope that it will inspire and touch others. So here’s the backstory: Jang was bored. And since he wasn’t allowed to play video games, he entertained himself by seeking out fallen tree branches from which he intended to make bows....

I am fascinated by the art of making. Whether it be the art of making a guitar, or bread, or whatever, I think our creative capacity is one of those things God had in mind when in the Genesis story God declares, “Let us make humankind in our image” (Gen. 1:26). God creates. From the very first verses in the Bible God is creating, calling the world and universe into being. And in the very last verses, God is still creating, this time making all things new. So whenever we make something – whether it be a piece of art or dinner tonight, a project for work or a card for a friend – we are joining God in the creative task that connects us...

There are few things more satisfying that making something – putting in time and effort and having something tangible, something you can hold in your hands, when you’re finished. Fewer and fewer of us find ourselves doing that kind of work. At the end of the day, there’s isn’t much many of us can hold on to. It doesn’t mean that what we’re doing isn’t worthwhile, important, or have significant consequences; just that the fruits of much of our labor is intangible. Which might explain why I liked the following video so much. In just over three minutes it shows 299 hours of labor – along with a lot of wood, sweat,...