I’ve been considering the talents each of us possess, and how different we are from one another. Watching the world around me, I’m always amazed by how everyone is trying to be just like everyone else. Overlooking, or perhaps simply not recognizing their own talents. When I was a child someone told me that if everyone were the same the world would be a dull place. Of course, I didn’t fully understand that at the time and went about trying to be like everyone else too. As I matured, I learned how futile and ridiculous that really is and sought to better understand myself and my own talents.
When God set the Israelites to the task of building the tabernacle, he laid out a very ornate plan for every aspect of it – down to the trim on the hem of the priests robes. Colors, designs, measurements and materials, they were all described in finite detail; there was no mistaking exactly what God wanted. Exodus 25-40 tells us about those plans and how they followed each step exactly, and if my calculations are correct, it took them between 8-10 months to complete it.
I imagine as the plan was laid out and described to Moses and the people, they must’ve felt some anxiety about the details. Did anyone know how to do this? Did they possess the skills that would make it possible? Not to worry, God had a plan for that too!
He called two men by name, Bezalel and Oholiab, and told Moses they would lead the project, saying Bezalel had been filled “with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, to make artistic designs for work in gold, in silver and in bronze, and in the cutting of stones for settings, and in the carving of wood, that he may work in all kinds of craftsmanship” and Oholiab was appointed with him. Just a few verses later, God says he has put a skill in the hearts of others so they could help make all the things He planned. God gave each of them the ability for a different skill. Carpenters, weavers, jewelers, goldsmiths and others so that every single detail would be perfect.
Note that God didn’t just give a skill, but he filled them with His Spirit, with His creative knowledge and ability. Years later, Paul told the Corinthians that each of us is given a “manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” and that the gifts are distributed according to God’s will. He uses the analogy of the body to remind them that every gift is important, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem. He asks them to consider that a foot is no less important than a hand, and that if everything was an eye, how would hearing be possible? He then reminds them that “God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as he desired” and if everyone was the same there wouldn’t be a body at all.
These gifts God gives us are many and varied. Some seem so small and insignificant when compared to the gifts someone else may have. For example, I love sharing my thoughts with you through my ability to string some sentences together, but I’m no great author. I enjoy cooking and the food I prepare is usually edible, but my skills are nothing compared to those of my favorite chefs. Sewing and quilting are among my favorite artistic past times, but I’m no match for the designers and quilters who sell their products, patterns and books.
I’ve come to realize that the only reason I can do any of these things is because God gave me the ability when He created me. And he gave you abilities too! Perhaps you’re able to tell a story with gusto and flair so that little children laugh and enjoy it more. Maybe you have a fantabulous garden and you provide tea from the flowers, fruit from your trees, and veggies galore for your family to enjoy. Maybe you have the ability to remove the toughest stain from any fabric. Or you’re a loving mother homeschooling your children. All of these skills are gifts from our wonderful Creator and we are meant to share them with others in honor of Him.
I encourage you to take a moment and consider the many talents you have and try to see them through God’s eyes and how perfect he intended them to be for you. Think about how you use those gifts every day, and how you bless others with them. You see, it’s not about us and how we stack up against other people. It’s about how we give to others using the talents God gave to us. We are a body meant to glorify God together, knowing that we are each different and designed exactly how God intended us to be.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the talents you have given me, for those skills that I use everyday without even thinking about them. Teach me to understand how You intend for me to use these skills and to recognize that through the Holy Spirit You gave me Your creative ability and skill that I might use it to glorify You. Show me how to bless others with my gifts. Speak through me and through my actions so that Your Glory is seen in me and may cause others to seek You. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash
From Suffering to Praise 