Usable Faults

Bows made by my husband from osage orange wood.

Bow with a natural curve--going with the grain.

Bow with a usable fault.

My husband makes osage orange (hedge) bows. He knows that when he planes the stick, he must "go with the grain" no matter how crooked. He must go around the knot, not through it, or the bow will break when bent. He's always amazed that an imperfect stick will make a bow that will actually hit the bullseye. When he does inspirational talks to bowhunters, he uses the analogy of the bow and arrow and likens it to the Christian life. Even when the bow has a flaw or a curve, it is still useful and and can do its job. It's the archer, not the bow, that's most important. It's the archer's will that determines where the arrow is going, not the design of the bow.
God, our heavenly archer, can use us even if we are crooked from sin or have faults. He can use imperfection to his glory and that's good news for us!