There are some great parallels to this in Exodus chapters 35-40.
In Ex. 35:10 Moses says, “Come, all of you
who are gifted craftsmen. Construct everything the Lord has commanded.” In
place of the word “craftsmen,” we could add each and every gift God has given
each of us. “Come, all of you who are gifted musicians, encouragers,
organizers, innovators, teachers, caregivers, greeters, baristas, pray-ers
(intercessors), cooks, helpers, leaders, givers, worshippers, supporters…” and
the list could go on and on. What a great picture of our church! Teaming up
together to accomplish all God has for us to do here in our community and then
around the world.
Ex. 35:21 says, “All
whose hearts were stirred and spirits were moved brought their sacred offerings
to the Lord. They brought all the materials needed for the Tabernacle…Both men
and women came, all whose hearts were willing…” Every day I get to see
willing hearts come together in various ways and serve the Lord. Thank you for
letting God stir your heart and move in your spirit to bring your talents and
gifts together to serve the Lord. This happens in thousands of small and big
ways both on Sunday’s and throughout the week and God uses it to actually
supernaturally change lives! Isn’t it cool that God puts His “super” into our “natural”
when we offer it to Him? Just this week I had a young man in my office
excitedly telling me how great it is that his friend got saved in our church a
few weeks ago and he is seeing her life changed leaps and bounds every week
since. Praise God!
Ex. 36:4-5 says, “Finally
the craftsmen who were working on the sanctuary left their work. They went to
Moses and reported, “The people have given more than enough to complete the job
the Lord has commanded us to do!” What a cool thing to happen. The point is
simply that when God’s people give what we have to Him willingly as He moves
us, He supernaturally multiplies it and there is enough to do what He calls us
to and then there more than enough left over. Just like the boy who ended up
feeding over five thousand people with only one lunch because he offered it to
Jesus (Mat. 14:13-21). At the end of this section of scripture (in chapter 40:34-38),
when the Tabernacle is built, the presence of God came and filled it and the
people of Israel had the Lord with them to guide and walk with them on their
journeys. May that be true of us as we
pursue Him and His purposes together. Let’s be praying that this Sunday, He
fills our lives and church afresh with His presence as we gather and we will
see more and more lives (ourselves included) led to know, love and serve Jesus
in increasing ways.
To God be the glory.
