Mitch Alborn, an American author, journalist and philanthropist once remarked: “You can’t substitute material things for love or for gentleness or for tenderness or for a sense of comradeship. Money is not a substitute for tenderness, and power is not a substitute for tenderness.” Romans 5:18 reminds us: “Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.”
Substitution is defined as the action of replacing someone or something with another person or thing. On its positive side, it can aid, but on the obverse, it can include counterfeiting, imitation or even deceit. It could signify the replacement of a genuine article with one that can be considered as inappropriate or false.
Football is a sport that incorporates two playable teams of eleven players in opposition to one another with the intention of scoring as many goals as possible into a poled structure that incorporates a net known as the goal. The framework was often painted white to enhance visual clarity. The term “woodwork” in soccer refers to the actual frame of the goal that used to be made of Douglas fir and was adopted widely in several countries for many years. This has now largely been substituted by aluminum. The goal is situated, usually midway, along a line at each end of a designated and measured pitch.
The game features an inflated ball that is kicked with the feet, occasionally utilizing other parts of the body such as the head or chest. The team usually consists of a goalkeeper, whose primary task is to prevent the ball from entering the net, defenders, midfielders and forwards. Each team has a captain, usually chosen for his management skills or craftsmanship in handling the ball. In addition to the main team, there are usually one or more extra players considered as substitutes, which remain on the touch-line throughout the ninety-minute match to replace players that may become injured or indisposed. The primary objective is to maintain equality and balance between the two sides.
Substitution, in religious terms or interpretations, may mean the difference between accepting the true God as the one and only “Almighty One” who created Heaven and Earth, or the substitution of a fake, which may include an idol. Material things can be considered as items of utility or worth. However, the transposition of quality to imposture can not only be damaging for the soul, but it could also result in misery. Exodus 20:3-6 confirms: “You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.”
A carpenter is defined as a person who makes and repairs wooden objects and structures. Joseph, the surrogate Earthly father of Jesus, was also assumed to be a carpenter by trade from translations of biblical references describing his profession as a Tekton. Mary, the biological mother of Jesus, is known to have conceived Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit, thus, some might regard Joseph to be a mere substitute. However, most Christians acknowledge him not only to be genuine, but to be the legal father who raised Jesus. Matthew 13:55 states: “Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?”
A story is told of a carpenter who usually took tremendous pride in his work. He loved to make or repair quality furniture, using only the finest woods and fitments with high-class professional tools. He had learned his trade from his father over many years and was now considered a skilled experienced craftsman. He owned a small shop on the outskirts of a country village from which he would sell his wares. Although the shop was located in a remote location, it was often very busy. He had built up an excellent reputation for quality and good workmanship. People would come from afar to seek the goods for sale or ask for repairs on valued items, knowing that everything he handled was performed with love, tenderness and professional care. However, due to his devoted craftsmanship, he began to experience financial difficulties.
On a particular day, a customer asked him if he would make a large beautiful cabinet of quality oak to adorn their home. This was one of the biggest and most lucrative single projects of his career, but, he had one major problem, he did not currently possess the funds to purchase the necessary genuine material. Working with oak, can not only be extremely time-consuming, it can also be expensive. Even though the monetary reward can be great, this particular project would consume many hours of dedication and skillful labor at considerable cost. As he couldn’t afford to decline the order, he accepted it, but unwisely decided to make a substitute in an effort to make the project financially viable.
Unfortunately, for the first time in his life, the temptation to cut corners on labor and parts was too attractive. He used an inferior laminate imitation that resembled the quality of oak, but in fact, was faux. This was much easier to work with and considerably cheaper. He also included fitments that resembled quality but were again of cheap manufacture. Said Nursi, a Turkish theologian and writer once remarked: “The beauty of a finely worked object points to the beauty of the craftsmanship. The beauty of the craftsmanship points to the beauty of the name which was the source of the craftsmanship. The beauty of the name of the craftsman's art points to the beauty of the craftsman's attributes manifested in that art.” Ephesians 2:10 reminds us: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
When the prospective purchaser viewed the finished product, he had considerable doubts as to its authenticity. He realised through further inspection, the true inferiority of the item as it was situated close to a genuine piece of oak furniture. The customer informed the carpenter that he, sadly was no longer interested in the article. The carpenter was horrified and promptly reflected on the consequence of his actions. He had wasted so much valuable time and money on its production. The expected fruition of the project had not only been lost, but also risked the deprivation of his valuable reputation. As a result, he vowed never to attempt a similar deception again.
Og Mandino, an American author once remarked: “Never neglect the little things. Never skimp on that extra effort, that additional few minutes, that soft word of praise or thanks, that delivery of the very best that you can do. It does not matter what others think, it is of prime importance, however, what you think about you. You can never do your best, which should always be your trademark, if you are cutting corners and shirking responsibilities. You are special. Act it. Never neglect the little things.” Colossians 2:8 confirms: “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”
Amen.
