Joy in Firewood Cutting (Unselfish Labor)

December 20, 2015: Joy in Firewood Cutting (Unselfish Labor)

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice! (Philippians 4:4)

Christmas makes me think of snow and snow makes me think of firewood—burning it, splitting it, cutting it, hauling it. For many people those aren’t happy thoughts, but for me it’s all joy. I love Christmas. I love snow. I love wood fires. And I love making firewood.

Once, at the beginning of a men’s retreat for our church, everyone was supposed to share something they love doing as part of our introductions. The first thing that came to my mind was cutting firewood, so that’s what I shared. Most of the men thought I was loony. (The photo here was not photoshopped--the log was actually smiling when I cut it!)

Splitting logs with my 8-pound splitting mall is my favorite part, but I also thoroughly enjoy cutting trees, loading the wood in our truck, and stacking it. It’s good, wholesome, hard work, pure and natural (Philippians 4:8), especially in the heart of winter when the snow is deep. I’m surrounded by pure, soft whiteness that makes everything extremely quiet and peaceful. The snow-filled forest makes the most serene scenes I’ve ever experienced. (The roar of my chainsaw frequently violates the serenity, but I still enjoy the work.)

I often work so hard that I have to peel off layers to reduce my sweating. I probably look a little crazy in the dead of winter with my hat and coat hanging on our cutting rack while I split wood in my shirtsleeves. I really feel like a wild-woodsman during winter thaws when I find myself working in snowy woods, bare chested because I soaked my shirt with sweat.

That kind of strenuous labor actually makes me feel good. Afterward, I relax with a sense of contentment and I sleep the most peaceful sleep. I think I experience a gift from God at these times as Solomon wrote about in Ecclesiastes 5:12, 18-20.

I wasn’t born with the ability to enjoy hard work—it’s something I learned growing up. At home, my parents made me help with house chores, work in our gardens (where we grew our own vegetables, fruits, and flowers), take care of livestock, and cut firewood. At first it was forced labor. Mom and Dad never paid me or rewarded my work in any material way. It was simply a requirement of living at home, being their son. Like most children, I did it grudgingly, whining, complaining, doing the minimum I could get away with. Eventually I developed a work ethic to “do my best” where I’d complete my required tasks with reasonable effort and minimal complaining. I still didn’t enjoy the work, but with this positive attitude it wasn’t so miserable anymore.

Then I discovered Solomon’s work wisdom. During my late teens and throughout my adult life I’ve tried to have an attitude of joy in my labor. Over time, the ability to enjoy and find satisfaction in my work has grown.

But working from a pure heart makes the most joy. There’s nothing selfish in it. Initially I helped with firewood in obedience to my dad. Then I developed a sense of altruism, aware that it helped heat our family home through the winter. As an adult, woodcutting heats our home and provided a positive environment for my children to grow up in. It keeps me healthy, reduces our nation’s energy burden and cuts greenhouse emissions as I sustainably grow trees in my forest to replace those I burn. Cutting wood has never been a job where I satisfied someone else’s requirements to earn a paycheck. I cut wood with a purely altruistic spirit, no selfish motivation.

Selfish pursuits are never satisfied. I find some pleasure in working hard for my own personal gain, but nothing fully satisfies my selfish desires. I always want more. Altruism is different. When I feel that I’ve made the world a better place through my hard work, that brings true satisfaction and joy. Woodcutting provides an endless source of satisfaction and joy for me because in it, my heart us pure, free from selfish motives.