The Slow Work of Discipleship
By Ryan Dawson
Last Fall I started building a cedar log sauna on our property. It has been a slow but enjoyable process. As we were peeling the first log, my son Josh, said: “Dad, this is going to take forever.” I told him, “Josh, this is as much about the journey as it is about the destination, so we need to be patient, keep working, and enjoy the journey.”
There is something profoundly spiritual about building in this way. Crafting a cedar log structure is an unhurried, creative, intentional, and messy process — not unlike the discipleship journey of becoming more like Christ. Each imperfect and unique log is carefully chosen, stripped of its bark with a two-handled draw knife, then measured, scribed, cut, chiseled and ground, to fit precisely with the one beneath it. It’s meticulous and patient work. It’s one-at-a-time work. But as each log finds its place, a structure begins to rise — strong, beautiful, and designed to offer warmth, solace, and peace to those who find sanctuary in its walls.
Discipleship is much the same. Jesus, our Master Builder, knows us intimately, and He selects us with care knowing our uniqueness and many imperfections. As 1 Peter 2:4–5 (NLT) says, “You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple… And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple.” For us to be built into God’s temple, our “bark” must come off — meaning our pride, unhealthy habits, and fears must be stripped away with the grace and truth of Christ. Then comes the chiseling seasons: often painful, always precise, but full of purpose. We are not shaped in mass production, but individually and lovingly formed to fit into the larger whole of the Body of Christ within God’s redemptive Kingdom work.
Paul echoes this in Ephesians 2:20–22 (NLT), reminding us that “together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.” Like a sauna wall, God builds us into something greater than ourselves — a place of healing and rest, a spiritual home where we are blessed with God’s goodness so others can be blessed through our lives.
And while the process is slow, we can trust the One doing the work. As Philippians 1:6 (NLT) encourages, “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished...” The walls of our spiritual house are rising. Each encounter with Jesus, each moment of surrender, each season of shaping — it all matters. In the end, God is building something beautiful and functional in us, a life that brings glory to Him and refreshment to those around us.
So, be encouraged— God is not done with you yet! God doesn't make junk and He will finish what He started in you. So, let’s not rush the discipleship process. Let’s be intentional to embrace God’s draw knife and His loving chisel. Because when the structure is complete, and the Spirit fills the space, we’ll know — it was worth every moment on the journey. I'm blessed to be on this journey with you.
For Christ and His Kingdom, Ryan
Last Fall I started building a cedar log sauna on our property. It has been a slow but enjoyable process. As we were peeling the first log, my son Josh, said: “Dad, this is going to take forever.” I told him, “Josh, this is as much about the journey as it is about the destination, so we need to be patient, keep working, and enjoy the journey.”
There is something profoundly spiritual about building in this way. Crafting a cedar log structure is an unhurried, creative, intentional, and messy process — not unlike the discipleship journey of becoming more like Christ. Each imperfect and unique log is carefully chosen, stripped of its bark with a two-handled draw knife, then measured, scribed, cut, chiseled and ground, to fit precisely with the one beneath it. It’s meticulous and patient work. It’s one-at-a-time work. But as each log finds its place, a structure begins to rise — strong, beautiful, and designed to offer warmth, solace, and peace to those who find sanctuary in its walls.
Discipleship is much the same. Jesus, our Master Builder, knows us intimately, and He selects us with care knowing our uniqueness and many imperfections. As 1 Peter 2:4–5 (NLT) says, “You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple… And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple.” For us to be built into God’s temple, our “bark” must come off — meaning our pride, unhealthy habits, and fears must be stripped away with the grace and truth of Christ. Then comes the chiseling seasons: often painful, always precise, but full of purpose. We are not shaped in mass production, but individually and lovingly formed to fit into the larger whole of the Body of Christ within God’s redemptive Kingdom work.
Paul echoes this in Ephesians 2:20–22 (NLT), reminding us that “together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.” Like a sauna wall, God builds us into something greater than ourselves — a place of healing and rest, a spiritual home where we are blessed with God’s goodness so others can be blessed through our lives.
And while the process is slow, we can trust the One doing the work. As Philippians 1:6 (NLT) encourages, “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished...” The walls of our spiritual house are rising. Each encounter with Jesus, each moment of surrender, each season of shaping — it all matters. In the end, God is building something beautiful and functional in us, a life that brings glory to Him and refreshment to those around us.
So, be encouraged— God is not done with you yet! God doesn't make junk and He will finish what He started in you. So, let’s not rush the discipleship process. Let’s be intentional to embrace God’s draw knife and His loving chisel. Because when the structure is complete, and the Spirit fills the space, we’ll know — it was worth every moment on the journey. I'm blessed to be on this journey with you.
For Christ and His Kingdom, Ryan