The Dumb End of the Tape

It’s a common routine in the building trades.

When more than two hands are needed to obtain a dimension, one man extends the “dumb end” of his tape measure for another to hold, relieving him from most of the calculative accountability.

Now, if I’m helping somebody frame a house, it’s probably not necessary for me to be involved in important decisions. But when it comes to making moral choices, I’d be wise not to find myself on the dumb end of the tape, because that means I’m not really involved in an activity that actually does require my participation.

I speak from experience.

For so many years I struggled to be the one on the smart end of a tape measure, but there weren’t any available for me to pick up and shove into somebody’s face—just a lot of dumb ends being pushed into mine.

I was always looking for a short cut. As a young carpenter, I sought glory with no intention of earning it. I was convinced that, merely because I wanted the respect of my peers, I was entitled to it.

I can’t remember when I realized that learning skills applied to more areas of my life than just my occupation. They’re also something I need to develop as Jesus Christ’s disciple so that I can communicate and demonstrate His character and accomplish His purposes.

And discipline is a crucial skill to develop, regardless of how I come by it.

But how interesting it is that a paradigm for discipline is so often revealed to a man through his occupation. I’ve watched the Lord shape men into exactly what He wants them to be by wiring them to eventually grow weary of holding the dumb end of the tape.

Nothing can be accomplished from there.