Let’s use our skills.

All who are skilled among you are to come and make everything the Lord has commanded. Exodus 35:10

I’ve recently been reading the book of Exodus. God tells Moses to build the tabernacle and gives long, detailed instructions:

All who are skilled among you are to come and make everything the Lord has commanded: ‘The tabernacle with its tent and its covering, clasps, frames, crossbars, posts and bases; the ark with its poles and the atonement cover and the curtain that shields it …’Ex35:10

Many Israelites contributed to the building of the tabernacle. Some people gave their gold, silver and bronze, some women spun blue, purple or scarlet yarn, others gave fine linen, goat hair, dyed ram skins and durable leather and so on.

When I looked at the picture above, I began to wonder, like the Israelites building the tabernacle, how many people had been involved in making that scene? Someone built that beautiful arch. Someone made the bricks, mixed the cement and transported it all here. Small stones were brought and made into a wall.

Through the arch, you can see a house. A perfectly shaped roof, windows with curtains, another wall. Someone had planted trees. A road had been made and a footpath through the arch.

Many people contributed to that quaint scene above. They used their talents and skills.

I looked at the bright red post box in the wall. What metal was used to make it? What kind of paint? How was it inserted into the wall and the oh so precise measurements used? How many letters and cards, over the years, have been posted in that box?

All things in this pretty picture are still being used today. Someone is living in the house and tending the garden. People are walking, cycling or pushing babies in prams through the arch. Children racing to get through first or jump up, trying to reach the overhanging bush on the arch.  Motor bikes and cars can drive on the road.

We may not be able to build an arch. We may not have gold to give to a church, charity or someone in need, or be able to spin yarn or crochet or knit, but we do have something to give. Our Father God created us in his image:

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; Genesis 1:27

Our wonderful Father God has created us like Him, to be creative like him. He has given every human being a gift, a skill. Let’s use our skills to worship God, bless others around us and build His kingdom.

A Prayer
Father God, help us not to give up and bury our talents in the ground. Open our hearts and take us on a journey to discover what gifts you have given to us, so that we can fulfil our calling to be creative like you and build your kingdom. Amen.