There was more going on in the womb than knitting us together. What we look like is the seen. The unseen outlasts all of that. As God prepared good works for each of us, He downloaded the skills we would need should we choose to follow Him and help build His church. I call them mad skills. The New Testament lists some gifts. The list in I Cor 12:28 includes healings, helps, governments, and diversities of tongues. Rom 12:6-8 mentions; prophecy, teaching, exhortation, giving, and mercy with cheerfulness. Back to I Cor 12:8-11, also mentions; words of wisdom, words of knowledge, faith, miracles, and interpretation. Why? “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God; whoever serves, let him do so as by the strength which God supplies; so in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen”, I Pet 4:10-11. The Trinity has a part. I condense I Cor 4-7, ‘Varieties of gifts but the same Spirit. Varieties of ministries but the same Lord. Varieties of effects but the same God and all of these things work in all persons.’
This week I have been thinking of the next outreach/missions effort later this year. What is the task before me and how has God already downloaded those skills and how do I cooperate my effort in using those gifts/skills? Is this the right time and the right place? Then I was reminded of Bezalel in Exodus 31, (God bless the many authors of ‘Our Daily Bread’) and God says, “I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, to make artistic designs…”. And God also appointed other skilled people to assist. Then the list of tasks concerning building the temple was spoken and downloaded to Bezalel. God prepared the man for the task. He prepares us for our lives and beyond for the service we are invited to render to His glory. I have two remarkable children who God downloaded special skills and gifts beyond what even a good mother could teach. We trust God for our futures and for the futures, with purpose, for those we cherish. Can I interfere in what God has planned? I don’t think so because if I rebel He will use someone else to our shame. Just open our hands and our hearts, dear Lord, to be where you are already working. All Aboard!
