For the Artists!!! (A MUST READ)
Reading: Exodus 31:1-11
The Lord said to Moses, 2 “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, 4 to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, 5 in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft. 6 And behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. And I have given to all able men ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you: 7 the tent of meeting, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is on it, and all the furnishings of the tent, 8 the table and its utensils, and the pure lampstand with all its utensils, and the altar of incense, 9 and the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the basin and its stand,10 and the finely worked garments, the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments of his sons, for their service as priests, 11 and the anointing oil and the fragrant incense for the Holy Place. According to all that I have commanded you, they shall do.”
My Thoughts
Every ability that I have is not from me. The artistic talents that I have are not from me. It is clear that God is the one who gives those skills. Of course it's up to us to use it. I'm sure the people who God had chosen BY NAME had the choice to obey God or not. But seriously though, having a personal visitation from God, there's no way you wouldn't want to follow Him.
I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship...
Having the Spirit of God is huge. I believe that's the determining factor here. Without the Spirit of God, I know for sure that I would not want to please God. I would want to use my talents for my own gain instead of giving glory to God. Though it may seem cool and all, I would be forfeiting my soul. I would have riches for the sake of what? The eternal consequence is far too great.
God didn't stop there though. God filled them with His Spirit, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship. This is one person, Bezalel, from the trip of Judah. God filled Him to overflow. Clearly He was to be the leader for this project. He didn't go and try to find a team for Himself, but God called Oholiab to lead with Bezalel. God didn't stop there. God provided a team to complete the work with them. This was not a one man show, but rather, a leader, a co-leader, and the rest of the team of able people. They were all gathered together so that they could complete all that God had told Moses.
Isn't this incredible? Isn't this how I should be? God gives the instructions to Moses, Moses instructs the leaders filled with God's Spirit, and then the people follow the instructions. Isn't this what I should be doing now?
God gives the instructions to Jesus, Jesus speaks to me through the Holy Spirit (The Spirit of God), and I follow what He has instructed me to do. Isn't that the essence of the Christian life? We believe, and we follow. Just look at the vastness of it all. Nothing is missing from this plan. The people lack nothing. They didn't go to school, they had no degree, yet they were the best of the best solely because of what God had given them and their obedience to the living God.
LORD, I pray that I have this heart of obedience. I pray that You set my heart on fire in passion to live only for Your purpose. I know that by me doing so, others will be blessed because You did not give me all that You gave me for myself. You gave my talents to be a blessing to others. You will not leave me dry, but I am confident that you will fill my cup to overflow. Help me LORD to live a sold out life for you. Help me to no longer compromise. Help me to live according to Your will. You have called me by name. You have brought me from a far away land onto this foreign soil. You have walked with me and have brought me to a family that sees me how You see me. I have been able to meet people and make connections with people that others dream they could connect with. God, You are mighty, and nothing is impossible for You. There is no one like You. I don't want You to ever leave my side. Walk with me and speak clearly to me that I may walk straight and not go to the left or to the right. I know that I have no right to stand and say any of these things to You because of pride and other sin, but by Your grace and what Jesus has done for me on the cross, You allow me to stand and do so. You tell me to come boldly to Your throne of grace. You never told me to leave. So LORD, here I am to stay. I'm tired of "trying" so hard. Here I am LORD to proclaim the name of your dear son Jesus in all that I do. Thank You for Your forgiveness. Lead me LORD. I love You.