Gifted

I've been reading through the book of Exodus.  There are several chapters in a row that lay out God's exact specifications for the Tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant, the ornate garments that the priests were to wear, and every other intricately detailed piece within the Tabernacle. 

Normally when I think about the Tabernacle, I have mental images of Aaron and all the priests who were directly called by God to serve Him there on a daily basis.  They were the liaisons between the people and God.  They were set apart.  They were special.  They were the main people God gifted for the specific purpose within the Tabernacle.

It's interesting how a similar mentality carries over into church today.  Pastors are directly called to serve God on a daily basis.  There are key leaders on staff that God's gifted for a specific purpose to lead the congregation.  They're communicating with God and receiving His vision.  They are the main people God has gifted for a specific purpose to lead the church.

While I believe that's true, I often find that leads some of us to think that God's given pastors, teachers, and leaders an incredible spiritual gift, but...well...the rest of us just aren't all that gifted.

I know I've read Exodus 31 before, but something new flew off the page this time around.

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Look, I have specifically chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. He is a master craftsman, expert in working with gold, silver, and bronze. He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood. He is a master at every craft! “And I have personally appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to be his assistant. Moreover, I have given special skill to all the gifted craftsmen so they can make all the things I have commanded you to make.

Yes, God called great men like Moses, Aaron, and Joshua to step up and be incredible leaders and "Heroes of the Faith", but He also specifically chose and personally appointed many other key people to serve in so many equally vital roles along the way too.  He gave these other people great wisdom, ability, and expertise.  Without their special God-given skills, the Tabernacle would never have been constructed.  God's Spirit filled these people and gifted them as well.

When we come to know Christ and receive His salvation, we, too, are filled with the Spirit of God.  He has called us, specifically chosen us, and specially designed us.  Each and every one of us has skills and gifts that can be used to serve Him.

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.

We are all gifted in some way.  And those gifts were given to fit each of us perfectly by a loving and creative Father.  So it's time to stop comparing ourselves to other people.  And it's time to start using our gifts to serve the One who gave them to us in the first place!