For over twenty years I have worked as a building contractor, remodeling private homes. While there, once the work is begun, I quickly become just another person in the household, occasionally being watched but largely ignored as I work, yet I also watch and listen. And I see and hear the colors and rhythms of domestic life, of people going about their business.

There is a great deal that can be learned about people by watching and listening, yet truly understanding people is a life-long undertaking. And its doubly difficult when we often find it hard to even understand ourselves. The scriptures say that Jesus grew "in stature before God and man," and that he "became perfect by the things which he suffered." Suffering (or better said, experience) is the gateway to understanding and growth. It struck me on the job one day that Jesus was not born knowing his mission and destiny; he had to learn it line upon line and precept upon precept, here a little and there a little, gaining experience, until he became perfect.

Learning in this way, a little at a time, is one way in which my life and the life of Christ are similar. I too must grow from a child to an adult who understands the purpose of my life. The whisperings of the Spirit, the scriptures, my spiritual guides, and my own common sense all contribute to the light that grows in me. I must do a great deal of work to be able to follow Christ.

But how can I emulate Jesus? I lack the faith of even a mustard seed. Where do I start?

Here is where Jeshua the carpenter steps forward in my minds eye. "We become perfect," he seems to say. "A little at a time."

"How do I begin?" I ask.

"At the beginning," and his voice is almost audible. "Get out of bed, get on your knees, talk it over with me, listen to my counsel, then get out the door and on your way to work. Get there on time, with a positive attitude, and with your tools sharpened and ready. Consult with the foreman (that’s me), look over the plans (my word), and then get to work."

"Is that all there is to it?"

"I didn’t create the world in one day. It took six," he says, smiling. "I work, too, and these things take time."

I shake my head. "Just keeping track of my failings must be exhausting for you."

"I don’t tire easily," he says, smiling. "But you and I are building something that is going to be amazing."

I look around at the muddy construction site, the not-yet-begun footing trenches marked by yellow chalk lines. "By the way," I ask tentatively. "What exactly are we building?"

Jeshua smiles and claps me on the shoulder. "You," he says, and picks up a shovel, striding toward the chalk lines.

I look around, amazed. Me? Why, the footprint of this building is too large to be me. I’m just a cottage, like C.S. Lewis said, but this huge construction site is the foundation of an immense palace. "This is me?" I ask, trotting after him. "How can that be?"

He stops and looks back. "I have the plans up here," he says, pointing to his head. "You and me. Together. Well do just fine. And if your back is strong and you trust your heart and can take a little direction, you’ll be amazed at what we can build."

He turns back and I relax. He is a great builder—I know, because I’ve seen other lives he’s helped build. If all he needs is my back and my heart, then I already have those.

"Okay," I say, picking up a shovel. "Where do we start?"