Expect the unexpected.
Exodus 35:10–19 (ESV)
“Let every skillful craftsman among you come and make all that the LORD has commanded: the tabernacle, its tent and its covering, its hooks and its frames, its bars, its pillars, and its bases; the ark with its poles, the mercy seat, and the veil of the screen; the table with its poles and all its utensils, and the bread of the Presence; the lampstand also for the light, with its utensils and its lamps, and the oil for the light; and the altar of incense, with its poles, and the anointing oil and the fragrant incense, and the screen for the door, at the door of the tabernacle; the altar of burnt offering, with its grating of bronze, its poles, and all its utensils, the basin and its stand; the hangings of the court, its pillars and its bases, and the screen for the gate of the court; the pegs of the tabernacle and the pegs of the court, and their cords; the finely worked garments for ministering in the Holy Place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, for their service as priests.”
What a huge undertaking all this is. There are hundreds of tasks and countless details that must be coordinated. Managing all that is daunting. Where are they going to get the people to do all the work?
The Israelites are still responsible for tending their livestock, patching their tents, raising their kids, and every other aspect of running their lives.
This is on top of all that. The LORD commands the people to use their gifts in holy tasks.
What a perfect picture of the church.
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. … Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. — 1 Corinthians 12:4–6, 27 (ESV)
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: — 1 Peter 4:10 (ESV)
Everyone has a role to play in the church—probably more than one. Furthermore, your role can change over time. If you’re not sure what your role is, good. People rarely know God’s plans for them.
Your growth in Christ can be tied to your roles in the church. Don’t be surprised if you get called into an unexpected role. Writing was dead last on my list of possible roles. You just never know.
This is one of those things where your calling can literally be someone calling—on the phone. God doesn’t usually whisper in your ear that you have a gift you haven’t noticed. Instead, someone in your church asks you for help.
Next thing you know, you’re outside of your comfort zone.
Then you notice that you’ve become comfortable with it.
Life in Christ is exciting that way.
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These weekday DEEPs are written by Mike Slay. Saturdays’ by Matt Richardson. Subscribe here: https://www.ailbe.org/resources/community
The weekly study guides, which include questions for discussion or meditation, are here: https://www.ailbe.org/resources/itemlist/category/91-deep-studies
Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV stands for the English Standard Version. © Copyright 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved. NIV stands for The Holy Bible, New International Version®. © Copyright 1973 by International Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved. NASB stands for the New American Standard Bible. Used by permission. All rights reserved. KJV stands for the King James Version.
