Those Willing To Do the Work

Exodus 35:30-35 (New International Version)

Then Moses said to the Israelites, "See, the LORD has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts- to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic craftsmanship. And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others. He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as craftsmen, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them master craftsmen and designers.

Exodus 36:1-3 (New International Version)

So Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the LORD has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work just as the LORD has commanded."

Then Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the LORD had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work. They received from Moses all the offerings the Israelites had brought to carry out the work of constructing the sanctuary. And the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning.

At our worship team rehearsals from time to time, I'll have each of us take turns sharing a scripture and a thought to help us stay spiritually focused for rehearsal. At one of those times my wife shared the above scripture in Exodus 36 and it led to some great discussion to which was the inspiration of this article. I also think these ideas can apply to all skill sets, and not just for artists, ministry or worship leading.

God Gives Us Skills for a Reason

The first point that I think is pretty powerful, is that whatever skill we have, whether singing, playing an instrument, financial management, leadership, organization, etc. God chose YOU to have that skill or gift. "See, the LORD has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts".

Whatever your artistic skill is, God has chosen you to have that skill and ability so you can use it to "build the sanctuary".

This is something that I know gets talked about, but I love how this scripture in Exodus is so clear on it. Our skills, abilities, and gifts in the artistic or "skill" arena (performing arts, visual arts, video design, good with a hammer and saw, or anything else) are from God to be used to build His Sanctuary (in a metaphorical and sometimes, even a literal sense).

Teach Others What You Know

He also gives us the ability to teach others so we can pass these skills and abilities on to others so they can help in the work. If you are chosen for such abilities and can teach others, this also is from God for the use of building the sanctuary (or the church). It reminds me how important it is for me to teach others what I have learned and what skills I have as much as I have opportunity to, and that we need to teach each other to help everyone have the best skills and abilities to "build the sanctuary".

With that comes the question, "Who are you training others to one day take your place in building the sanctuary?" Who are you teaching to do what you do?

Willing to Do the Work

This was such a great thought and really helped me! I see people all the time that have great skills and abilities, but aren't willing to come and do the work, so the skills and talents that God has chosen them for remain unfulfilled and don't help in the building of the sanctuary (or church). I'm always aware that I'm not the most talented or skilled musician/singer in our church. There are others that are better than me, but the difference is that I am willing to do the work, and that counts for a lot. The work to be the best that God allows me to be, the work to develop the character I need to have to be effective, the work to strengthen or add skills that will help me serve more effectively, we all have skills, but those who actually are willing to come and do the work are the ones who are given the great privilege of building up the body of Christ, the sanctuary of God.

If I wasn't willing to do the work, then it wouldn't really matter what skills and abilities God has given me, my skills wouldn't be all that useful, or even worse, only useful for selfish gain.

What is "the work"?

Putting in the work to develop my skills to be the best that they can be. Investing time into rehearsal, lessons, practicing the basics, working to make my skills the best that God allows me to. For me, it's investing in the time and expense to expand my guitar and vocal skills, as well as song writing skills, or whatever skills I feel that God has called me to. Learning to be a better worship leader. Learning music theory better and how to apply that to leading worship on Sundays.

It means taking guitar or vocal lessons when I can, it mean practicing for 30 minutes several days a week so I'm prepared for band rehearsals, Sunday services, and other ministry or performance type situations. It's giving my best and doing the best I can, and also it's being surrendered that God will make up where I lack.

Depending on your specific skills, it could mean different things...hopefully this gives you some ideas. Work at your skills, develop your talents, give God your best.

It also means the "Work" of developing our characters to handle our skills and minister to others. For me, it means handling criticism gracefully and not taking it personally, learning to be patient, humble, and loving to others, being surrendered about things and not let it get to me when they don't go as planned. It means working to be really much more vulnerable than I am naturally comfortable with, and putting my trust in God as opposed to my human efforts. It means working to do what I need to do to take care of the needs of the people in my care (the congregation and other worship team members) and helping them feel secure and able to freely worship God. It means balancing the needs of our leaders to be flexible to what they need and the needs of the other worship team members to be secure in holding to our plan as rehearsed. It means even though I can probably do more with my guitar or our band can do more than we are doing, to be OK with playing less, or keeping things simple because that serves the situation the best.

Anyway, that's all a lot of work and energy to do the work and still remain spiritual and God focused on it all (and I'm not always as successful as I'd like to be), but look at what was accomplished when the people who had the skills were willing to come and do the work...

Exodus 39:42-43 The Israelites had done all the work just as the LORD had commanded Moses. Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the LORD had commanded. So Moses blessed them.

Exodus 40:34 Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled upon it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

When those who have been given their skills by the LORD come and do the work to build up the sanctuary exactly the way God wanted, He decided to live there. I think that's powerful. How much more so when disciples of Jesus Christ, who have the Holy Spirit already residing in them and use their skills and abilities to build up the body of Christ, help the poor and needy, or share the Gospel?

We need to be praying for people who not only have the skills, but are willing to come and do the work to build up God's Kingdom.

Reprinted from www.freetoworship.net. For more information about the Spokane Christian Church worship/music/arts ministry, click here.