sawdust 02-25-2026

I recently had to use the circular saw to cut a foot off five six-foot 2x4s. It only took about five minutes but in that short amount of time I accumulated a dustpan full of sawdust along with what had to be brushed off my clothes. No sawdust got in my eye but it did take me to Jesus’ words in Luke 6:41-42. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. I used to think this was an example of Jesus’ humorous hyperbole, but now I’m not so sure. I asked myself, “how much saw dust does it take to make a plank of wood?”  If removing my eye’s plank involves one speck at a time then I don’t have time with anyone else but myself. So, I’ll heed Jesus’ other words: “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11) PK