October 5 Gifted

Do you see a person skilled in their work? They will serve before kings. He will not serve before obscurity. ~Proverbs 22:29

Then the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts—to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship. Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also, I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you: the Tent of Meeting, the Ark of the Testimony with the atonement cover on it, and all the other furnishings of the Tent— the table and its articles, the pure gold lampstand and all its accessories, the Altar of Incense, the Altar of Burnt Offering and all its utensils, the basin with its stand—and also the woven garments, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests, and the anointing oil and fragrant incense for the Holy place. They are to make them just as I commanded you. ~Exodus 31:1-11

I love this story. God gave gifts to meet a need that He knew that Israel would have way before they knew they would need them. Bezalel and Oholiab are the most fitting example of Ephesians 2:10 that I can think of. “We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” You know what’s even more exciting? It’s true of all of us. In other words, we are all Bezalels and Oholiabs.

Think about it! Before you were born, God equipped you to meet a future need. In a way, that is exciting. However, it can also be frustrating because it is often unclear exactly what we were created for beyond bringing God glory. What we do know is that God has given each of us gifts. There is something that you do that comes easily to you. It may only be an interest for now, that needs to become a honed skill, but we all have a gift of some sort.

For example, you may have the gift of music, but that doesn’t mean that you know how to sing professionally, yet, or play an instrument. You may be able to draw, but you don’t yet know all the techniques to create a masterpiece. You may have the gift of math, truly, but are you more equipped to do building, or cooking, or finances? You’ll know as you work with your gift.

Some people choose to shelve their gifts. They either wish they had a different gift, or they are impatient to use their gift and don’t wish to go through the learning and training process. They either ignore the gift they have been given or they are content with rudimentary skills, thinking that they are good enough.

However, the one who works at his gift, could end up serving a king. Bezalel and Oholiab must have worked hard to perfect their craft. They ended up using it to create the tabernacle of the Lord. God said: “I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts—to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship.” They may have had those skills perfected in Egypt, working under Pharaoh, but now, they chose to use them for the Lord, taking part in constructing a meeting place for His people.

It’s kind of exciting to think that we are a specific tool, created for a need that we still may not know of right now. What we do need to do, however, is to be faithful in the use of whatever skill or gift we have so that when we are called to use it, we will give it the best we can. We may even realize that we were made for that moment. Who knows?

Remember Anna in the temple when Baby Jesus arrived? She was 84 years old. She had no children that we know of and she had been a widow for a very long time. Instead of feeling sorry for herself, she must have had the gift of prayer because it says that she stayed at the temple fasting and praying. When Mary and Joseph came in with Jesus, she was ready. She had been made for that moment. It may not have seemed like a big deal to anyone else, but God needed her to be there to bring Him glory and bless the Holy family. She had stayed with it faithfully, practicing her gift of prayer faithfully and she served before a King, THE King.

“Let us not become weary in doing well; for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Gal. 6:9) We, and our gifts, were created for such a time as this. It’s up to us to decide to stay sharp for our purpose.

Prayer: Fatherthank Youfor creating me and gifting me to serve You for such a time as this. May I be strong and unafraid. I am blessed to be a blessing! In Jesus’ name, amen.

Song: For Such a Time as This